This Privacy Notice explains how we use the information that we collect about you.
Fife Council uses the personal information provided by you:
- within your application form
- via the Scottish Government’s Planning Portal
- the Fife Council website
- Fife Online Planning Information Site
- by email or letter in order to process applications under planning legislation
We have a statutory duty to process applications under the terms of the Town and Country Planning (Scotland) Act 1997 and associated legislation.
Fife Council is also responsible under Section 97 of the Civic Government (Scotland) Act 1982 (as amended) for the naming of streets and numbering of properties. The information provided will be used to fulfill this function where appropriate.
The personal information we gather, use and publish online includes name, address, and contact details.
Information submitted in relation to planning applications will also be published on the Fife Online Planning Information Site with details of the application also appearing in weekly planning lists and where required, in Planning Committee papers.
This includes publishing the name and address of individuals who make a representation (comment) about an application as well as whether they support or object to the application on the Fife Online Planning Information Site. Any other personal or special category data will be removed from documents before publication.
In terms of the planning enforcement system, if a notice is served, the name of the person(s) on whom it has been served will be published on the Fife Online Planning Information Site and the Enforcement Register on the Council website. Where an enforcement investigation has taken place, the address of the property will be published on the Fife Online Planning Information Site.
Personal details of applicants and individuals who make comments on planning applications will also have their details used as part of the Planning Appeal or Local Review process. Names and addresses will be published as part of the Local Review process, and personal details will be shared with the Planning and Environmental Appeal Division of the Scottish Government as part of the appeal process. Name and address details of parties involved in planning enforcement cases will also be shared with the Planning and Environmental Appeal Division of the Scottish Government as part of any Enforcement Appeal process.
We share your information with the Scottish Government as part of any planning or enforcement appeals process. We also provide information to Business & Employability, Planning, and Protective Services as appropriate to inform planning policy activities such as the annual housing land audit.
We also share your information with Elected Members as part of the Planning Committee.
The Scottish Government Planning Portal distributes planning applications and reviews to the relevant planning authorities. Fife Council Planning Service receives applications, local reviews, comments on applications, and reports of potential breaches of planning control directly (both electronically and on paper).
We may obtain personal information relating to your application from a third party acting on your behalf. We may also receive information from objectors, supporters of developments, and other interested parties via e-mail or via the Fife Online Planning Information Site and the Fife Council website.
In the event that we did not request and use this information, it would not be possible to carry out our statutory functions in determining planning applications or providing official address details.
The Council will not keep your information for longer than is necessary. In some instances, the law sets the length of time information has to be kept. The Council has a retention schedule that sets out how long we hold different types of information. This can be found here.
Further information on how your information is used and why can be found at fife.gov.uk/privacy.
The Council's Data Protection Officer can be contacted at: dataprotection@fife.gov.uk.