The National Planning Improvement Framework (NPIF) supports the improvement of planning authorities. The process is led by the National Planning Improvement team. The planning authorities undertake a self-assessment and identify improvement actions.
You can find out more in this short introduction.
-
The National Planning Improvement Framework was tested incrementally in three separate cohorts throughout 2024/25. All planning authorities have now been through the process. The pilot aimed to test the new framework and it was an opportunity to explore what works and what doesn't.
Cohort 1
Cohort 1 started in April 2024 and was piloted by 10 planning authorities who volunteered for the first cohort. They were:
Pairings Aberdeenshire Scottish Borders East Ayrshire Renfrewshire East Lothian Stirling Edinburgh Glasgow FIfe North Lanarkshire Cohort 2
Cohort 2 began in August 2025 and 10 planning authorities volunteered to take part. They were:
Pairings Inverclyde East Dunbartonshire North Ayrshire Angus Orkney Shetland Perth and Kinross Dundee Highland Argyll and Bute Cohort 3
Cohort 3 started in December 2024 and 14 planning authorities took part. They were:
Pairings Comhairle nan Eilean Siar Cairngorms Moray Loch Lomond and the Trossachs South Lanarkshire West Lothian Aberdeen Falkirk West Dunbartonshire Clackmannanshire Dumfries and Galloway East Renfrewshire South Ayrshire Midlothian You can find the guidance for the cohorts here:
- NPIF guidance
- Context spreadsheet outlining the NPIF themes, the attributes of a high-performing planning authority, contributory factors and prompts to help you build a narrative.
- Short guidance paper to support the facilitation of the NPIF review workshops.
NPIF Pilot Evaluation Report
We have been given the opportunity to rethink how we measure the performance of planning authorities in Scotland.
The National Planning Improvement team since September 2023 has been engaging collaboratively with stakeholders on the development of the new National Planning Improvement Framework and the approach we have taken is a creative and relatively new way of working.
This report provides an overview of the process that was undertaken to develop the new National Planning Improvement Framework and the feedback we have received from planning authorities and stakeholders on piloting the new approach.
Download the National Planning Improvement Framework Pilot Evaluation
-
This guidance sets out the process for year two (2025/26) of the National Planning Improvement Framework (NPIF).
-
Coming Soon
-
National Planning Hub
The National Planning Hub provides planning authorities with access to specialist expertise, supports them to upskill their staff and prepare their workforce for the future.
-
Planning Skills
The Planning Skills Programme co-ordinates training events for public sector planning officers, with the aim to develop the skills required to deliver better places.
-
Planning for Place
The Planning for Place Programme supports councils and their partners to collaborate around place, seeking to encourage place-based approaches to joint planning, resourcing and delivery of places that enable all communities to flourish.
-
Shaping Places for Wellbeing
The programme aims to improve Scotland’s wellbeing and reduce inequalities through changing our collective approaches to the places where we live, work and play.