The Planning Performance Framework (PPF), introduced by planning authorities in 2012, was developed by Heads of Planning Scotland (HOPS), in conjunction with the Scottish Government. The Framework captures key elements of a high-performing planning service and comprises a mix of qualitative and quantitative performance measures that provides a toolkit of indicators. It offers a balanced measurement of the overall quality of each planning service and is used to promote continuous improvement.
All planning authorities, strategic development plan authorities and seven key agencies prepare a PPF report annually, receiving feedback on their reports from the Scottish Government. PPF reports assess performance against a set of Performance Markers agreed by the High Level Group on Planning Performance. The Group, established in 2013, consists of representatives from Scottish Government, Heads of Planning Scotland, the Society of Local Authority Chief Executives, the Society of Lawyers and Administrators in Scotland and the Royal Town Planning Institute.
Following provisions in the Planning (Scotland) Act 2019, planning authorities are obliged to prepare a report on their performance every year which is submitted to Ministers and published. These new reports are called the National Planning Improvement Reports and can be accessed on the Improvement Service website.
The final year of PPF reports covered 2022/23. Previous PPF reports can be accessed via the archive below.
HOPS 