Heads of Planning Scotland (HOPS) is the representative organisation for senior planning officers from Scotland’s 32 local authorities, and 2 national park authorities.
The primary purpose of HOPS is to:
- Promote the profile of public sector land use planning.
- Support and promote excellence in planning leadership.
- Ensure the delivery of a culture of continuous improvement in planning authorities.
- Carry out research work to support the Scottish planning system.
- Work towards a planning system which is adequately resourced and able to deliver quality outcomes.
- Promote and facilitate the benefits of a career in planning.
HOPS has an Executive Committee which oversees its activities, supported by five sub-committees; Development Management; Development Planning; Performance & Practice; Climate Change, Energy & Resources; and Digital Planning.
Overall Goals
In delivering on the specific purpose of HOPS, in terms of a positive and constructive contribution in making Scotland a successful, sustainable and well-connected place to contribute to the quality of life for its people, the goals are:
- Supporting sustainable economic growth and community wealth building;
- Protecting natural assets;
- Delivering quality places that are well connected;
- Putting health and wellbeing outcomes at the heart of our places;
- Engaging with our communities to meet their place outcomes;
- Supporting the continued learning and training of local authority officers;
- Promoting partnership working on improvement projects across local authorities, with Scottish Government and other partners such as RTPI and COSLA;
- Promoting and facilitating a career in planning to a wider audience using different entry routes and working with university partners.
Updated 28/9/23
HOPS 