Developments near trunk roads

Planning Authorities must consult the Scottish Government before granting planning permission for developments near to a trunk road.

This extends to developments that are likely to increase the volume of traffic or type of traffic entering or leaving a trunk road that require changes to the layout or altering access to trunk roads.

Transport Scotland encourages local authorities and developers to give early notice about planned developments near trunk roads.  This helps determine their potential impact on the trunk road network. Transport Scotland, along with other statutory consultees within the planning process, have prepared a joint statement on pre-application engagement for national and major developments.

Further information about the requirements of local authorities and developers with regards to developments near trunk roads is available in Planning Guidance. Details of current major applications that Transport Scotland is considering are available for local authority/ national park area on this map.

Purpose of Trunk Road Network

The main purpose of the trunk road network is to provide for the safe and efficient movement of long distance through traffic.  To ensure this we need to have in place strict limits on the number of direct accesses onto trunk roads, ensuring the full implications of development proposals on traffic and road safety are taken into account. Transport Scotland is therefore keen to encourage discussions from the outset of the development process where planning authorities have emerging development plans.

Legal Requirements

Under Article 15(1) of the Town and Country Planning ( General Development Procedure)( Scotland) Order 1992 Planning Authorities must consult the Scottish Government before granting any development. This consultation is referred to Transport Scotland where there is any doubt over the potential impact of a development proposal on the trunk road network.
  
Sustainable Development

The planning system guides the future development and use of land in the long term public interest to ensure that development and changes in land use occur in suitable locations and are sustainable.  The planning system and the compliance with its associated policies and guidance are critical in delivering Transport Scotland’s commitment to a more sustainable, effective and integrated transport system.

Transport Scotland encourages early discussions with regard to development proposals to determine their potential impact on the trunk road network.  This allows the nature and scale of transport interventions required to be identified.

We also encourage local authorities to undertake the appropriate transport/traffic modelling exercises and provide them with access to Transport Scotland’s Land Use Transport Integration In Scotland (LATIS) service to support and assist in this process.

Development proposals are required to comply with current planning policy and guidance regarding sustainable development.  Particularly relevant policy and advice is set out in the Scottish Planning Policy.

Guidance on Transport Scotland’s role within the development management process which is intended to assist all parties involved is detailed in Transport Scotland’s publication “ Development Management Guidance – March 2007".