Hillington Simplified Planning Zone

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Hillington Simplified Planning Zone (October 2014 to September 2024)

A Simplified Planning Zone is an area where the need to apply for planning permission for certain types of development is removed so long as the development complies with the details and guidance set out in the Scheme.

An SPZ Scheme deals with the planning issues 'up front' and confirms what type of development, and how much, is allowed.

There are currently no SPZ Schemes in Glasgow after the Hillington Park Simplified Planning Zone Scheme came to an end on the 1 October 2024.

Hillington Park

Hillington Park is one of Scotland's largest business parks. It lies to the south of the M8 motorway between Glasgow and Paisley. It straddles the joint administrative boundary with approximately 80% of the site within Renfrewshire Council's area and 20% in Glasgow City Council's area.

The Simplified Planning Zone (SPZ) Scheme has now been approved in a partnership between Renfrewshire Council and Glasgow City Council, and MEPC Hillington Park, who owns and manages the majority of the site.

Benefits of Hillington Park SPZ Scheme

The Simplified Planning Zone Scheme aimed to encourage investment in Hillington Park and deliver sustainable economic development by simplifying the planning process. The Scheme provided greater certainty for developers and stakeholders. It removed the need for individual planning applications, covering the same range of planning issues. It was used as a promotional tool to attract new businesses looking to invest in the park and encouraged refurbishments as well as new builds.

While the focus of the SPZ Scheme was on business and employment uses, the Scheme also recognised the opportunity to introduce 'complementary uses' to create a more dynamic and attractive offer for a wider range of businesses. The SPZ Scheme set clear standards for new development including improved amenity of the built environment and better pedestrian connectivity.

Masterplan Consent Areas: Duty to Periodically Consider Making Scheme

The Planning (Scotland) Act 2019 introduced Masterplan Consent Areas as a new proactive consenting mechanism.

Part 2 of the 2019 Act (Section 15) sets out the legal framework for preparing Masterplan Consent Areas. The full provisions from the Act relating to Masterplan Consent Areas and the associated regulations are not yet in force. We anticipate the Masterplan Consent Area provisions being fully in place later in 2024.

Schedule 5A Paragraph 5 is in force and requires planning authorities to consider whether it would be desirable to make a scheme for a part or parts of their district, and to publish a statement as to their consideration.

Glasgow City Council notes that as the Masterplan Consent Area regulations are not yet in place, we have not yet identified or assessed potential locations for which it may be desirable to bringing forward an Masterplan Consent Area scheme. We intend to reconsider this once the legal basis for preparing Masterplan Consent Areas is in place and the Council will prepare a revised statement in line with the legal requirements of Schedule 5A Paragraph 5 of the Town and Country Planning (Scotland) Act, as amended.

Hillington Simplified Planning Zone