I have worked on a project in North Lanarkshire, the conversion of a listed former bingo hall in Airdrie into homes and shops.
Planning in Scotland works differently from England. The development plan is made up of the council’s Local Development Plan together with National Planning Framework 4 (NPF4), and there is no Community Infrastructure Levy here, so contributions towards infrastructure are dealt with through Section 75 agreements instead.
- Council planning pages
- North Lanarkshire Council
- Local Development Plan
- The North Lanarkshire development plan, made up of the North Lanarkshire Local Development Plan and National Planning Framework 4 (NPF4) (the Local Development Plan was adopted on 6 July 2022 and NPF4 was adopted on 13 February 2023, and together they form the statutory development plan, with NPF4 taking priority where the two conflict, while the council prepares a new Local Development Plan). Local Development Plan page. A new Local Development Plan is being prepared.
- What to submit with an application
- Local validation requirements.
- Article 4 directions
- Article 4 directions in Scotland are made under the Town and Country Planning (General Permitted Development) (Scotland) Order 1992 and remove permitted development rights, so that planning permission is needed for works that would not normally require it. In North Lanarkshire an Article 4 direction applies in the Kilsyth Conservation Area. Anyone affected should check the position for a specific property before assuming permitted development rights apply. Article 4 directions.
- Developer contributions
- Scotland does not operate a Community Infrastructure Levy. Instead, developer contributions in North Lanarkshire are secured through Section 75 planning obligations under the Town and Country Planning (Scotland) Act 1997, used where planning conditions alone are not enough to secure contributions towards infrastructure such as roads, schools and affordable housing. Developer contributions page.
- Conservation areas and heritage
- North Lanarkshire has seven conservation areas, including the Cumbernauld Village, Kilsyth, and Victoria and Town Centre areas, each with its own appraisal and management plan, and over 300 listed buildings. Listed buildings in Scotland are listed by Scottish Ministers, on the advice of Historic Environment Scotland, in categories A, B and C, and listed building consent is required for works to them. Special care is also taken with development in conservation areas, where changes must preserve or enhance the existing character. Conservation pages.
- Local guidance
- The council publishes Supplementary Planning Guidance, which supports the Local Development Plan and is a material consideration in deciding applications, covering topics such as listed buildings and conservation areas, landscaping and trees, design, biodiversity and affordable housing. Supplementary Planning Guidance.
What this means for your project
In North Lanarkshire, the starting point is always the Local Development Plan read alongside NPF4. If your property is listed or in a conservation area, expect the council to look closely at its character and to require listed building consent for changes to a listed building, with heritage matters informed by Historic Environment Scotland. There is no Community Infrastructure Levy in Scotland, but a larger scheme may still need a Section 75 agreement to secure contributions towards local infrastructure, which is worth understanding early. I check the current position for your specific address before any drawings are prepared.
Last checked: 27 June 2026. page reviewed Planning policy, charges and local designations change over time, so please confirm the current position with the council before relying on this summary.