Fife Council welcomes the views of individuals and communities on any development application it receives. Before you submit your comment we would advise that you view the full application and read our 'Commenting on an Application' guidance from our Planning Guidance page. Comments can be made by using Fife Council's online planning system.
Please note: any petitions received with multiple signatures will be classed as one representation comment.
As the economy begins the process of recovery, we're experiencing extremely high levels of submissions of planning applications, planning condition compliance information, and enquiries about proposed developments. We've also seen a rise of potential breaches of planning. This is positive for Fife's economic recovery and we welcome the upturn in investment in Fife.
Given this volume of current activity across our Service areas, it's taking us longer to respond. We'll continue to try and respond to your emails within 10 working days, but it may take longer. Assessing and determining applications is also taking us longer but we'll continue to do our best. We're currently recruiting to fill vacancies, but this takes time.
We continue to have a high percentage (over 50%) of applications that we are not able to validate on receipt. This is due to missing or incorrect information. This impacts on our resources and slows down the process of getting all applications validated. Please check that you've included all the information before submitting an application. You'll find detailed advice and guidance on our webpage Apply & pay for Planning Permission.
It would also really help us to respond to you as quickly and efficiently as possible if your submissions are made as follows:
- For plans or other information relating to a specific planning application (including information relating to compliance with conditions), please complete the Contact the planning team online form
- Make your application as early as you can
- If you wish to comment on or track the progress of an application that has been validated, please use the Fife Council online planning system
- All other enquiries should be directed to development.central@fife.gov.uk. Please avoid copying these emails to officers.
We appreciate that if customers have not had a response or update from us within 10 days, this can cause concern. We're looking into automating updates on applications to help keep our customers better informed. Our current response times in some Service areas is taking much longer. We should get back to you within 21 days and if we have not, please do then follow up.
We continue to deliver all of our work remotely. This has brought some more effective ways of working, but it also has its challenges through digital connectivity. The health and wellbeing of our staff is particularly important to us during this pandemic, and they continue to do the best they can to deliver a good customer service to you.
Our pages are designed to help you through the planning application process.
To find out if you need planning permission we recommend that you read the information on our page Apply for Planning Permission. This provides details of the type of work that is permitted. Extra advice is available on the Scottish Government pages.
You can carry out some development without the need for planning permission. For example, you may be able to build extensions, porches, sheds, garages, decking, fences and access ramps. There will still be certain restrictions relating to conservation areas and listed buildings. Even if planning permission is not required, there may be a need for a Building Warrant.
Planning Aid Scotland
PAS offers a free, impartial and confidential planning advice service, provided by specialist volunteers, all of whom are chartered planners. Please click here to access advice.
PAS helps individuals and community groups to get involved in the planning system in an impartial, open and inclusive way.
Related Publications
Contact the Planning Team
Use the button below to get in touch with the Planning Team about progress updates, planning restrictions, pre-application information requests, completion of Development Certificate, etc.