Planning in Scotland

Have your say

How decisions on data centres are made, where you can comment right now, and how to write a comment that counts.

Scottish Parliament

These are national routes, separate from any single planning application.

Committee inquiryHolyrood inquiry into hyperscale data centres ↗

The Climate Action Committee is taking evidence on the environmental effects of hyperscale data centres: air and water quality, nature, noise and emissions, and lessons from other countries. Its findings will be shared before the Scottish Government publishes national guidance.

How to take part: answer the short survey, or send fuller evidence through the detailed call for views. 22 days left · closes 15 Nov 2026

Short survey ↗Detailed call for views ↗

Run with the Economy, Tourism and Energy Committee. Inquiry page · Committee letter (PDF)

Public petitionPE2233: Moratorium on planning applications for all hyperscale data centres

Lodged by the campaign group Action to Protect Rural Scotland, it asks for a pause on planning decisions for all hyperscale data centres until their impacts are assessed. Under consideration by the Public Petitions Committee (8 Oct 2026). You can send a written submission.

How to take part: support it or send a written submission through the petition page.

Read and respond on the Scottish Parliament site ↗

The difference: the inquiry asks what the impacts are and wants evidence; the petition asks for approvals to stop until they are known and wants support.

Petitions

Every petition we have found opposes a scheme. We have not found any in support; if you know of one, use Report incorrect data on the scheme's page and we will add it.

Signature counts read from each petition page on 20 Oct 2026. Signing a petition is not the same as commenting on a planning application: councils can only weigh formal comments made on the application itself.

Planning applications open now

Dates are from each council's planning portal (Important Dates tab), read on 19 Oct 2026. The "days left" count updates as you view the page.

How a data centre gets decided

  1. Proposal of application noticeFor a major development the developer must notify the council at least 12 weeks before applying and hold at least two public events, 14 days or more apart. Comments at this stage go to the developer, not the council, and must be summarised in their consultation report. Scottish Borders Council
  2. Environmental Impact AssessmentSince 16 Sep 2026 every data centre over 50MW needs an EIA, which must cover effects such as noise, air quality, water, ecology and landscape. Scottish Government
  3. Application and public commentOnce the application is validated, neighbours are notified and it is advertised. You usually have 21 days from the latest of those dates to comment; EIA applications are also advertised in the press. Check the "Important Dates" tab on the council's page. Highland Council
  4. Ministers are notifiedFor anything over 50MW the council must tell Scottish Ministers within seven days of validation, and Ministers can call the application in to decide it themselves. Scottish Government
  5. Hearing and committee decisionMajor schemes are decided by councillors. If a major scheme is significantly contrary to the local development plan, the council must hold a pre-determination hearing where objectors can speak, as happened at Larbert. Decisions on schemes over 50MW are currently paused for up to 12 months while national guidance is written. Scottish Civic Trust · Resultsense
  6. AppealOnly the applicant can appeal. There is no third-party right of appeal in Scotland, but people who commented are told about an appeal and can send further comments to the reporter. Scottish Government · PAS (Planning Aid Scotland)

Writing a comment that counts

  • Quote the application reference (for example 26/1649/PIP) and say whether you object or support.
  • Give reasons. A comment that only says "I object" carries little weight. Angus Council
  • Stick to planning matters and cite policy where you can. For data centres the most relevant are:
    • Is it a "green data centre"? NPF4 lists green data centres as national development. Edinburgh refused South Gyle because it did not meet that definition. Scottish Government · South Gyle
    • Noise and air quality from cooling plant and backup generators, especially at night and during generator testing (NPF4 Policy 23, health and safety). Scottish Government
    • Flood risk on the site and downstream (NPF4 Policy 22). Each site page shows how much of the red line is in a SEPA flood zone.
    • Energy and emissions: where the power comes from, the lifecycle greenhouse gas assessment, and the fuel for backup generators.
    • Water use and the cooling method.
    • Landscape, nature and heritage: loss of farmland or woodland, effects on protected sites, listed buildings and monuments.
    • Traffic during construction and operation.
  • If you support a scheme, say so just as specifically. Supporting comments count in the decision in the same way. Relevant points include jobs and skills, reuse of previously developed land, a community benefit that is secured in a legal agreement rather than just promised, and whether it meets the national definition of a green data centre.
  • What does not count: effects on property values, loss of a private view, and who the developer is.
  • Your comment is public. Councils publish comments, usually with your name and address but not your contact details. Highland Council
  • Use evidence. Point to specific documents in the application (noise impact assessment, flood risk assessment, EIA report) and say what is missing or wrong.

Other ways to be heard

  • Contact your local councillors and community council. Community councils can ask to be consulted on applications in their area and often hold public meetings on major schemes.
  • Contact your MSPs. Scottish Parliament
  • Respond to the Holyrood inquiry or the Parliament petition, and sign the local petitions, all listed at the top of this page.