Aberdeenshire Council Planning: Applications & Search
Search Aberdeenshire Council planning applications, use the public access register, check planning permission, comment properly, contact the planning department and apply through Scotland’s ePlanning route.
Find Aberdeenshire Planning Records, Read Plans and Apply Without Delays
Use this guide when you need Aberdeenshire Council planning applications search, the planning portal, simple search, map-style searching, planning permission checks, public comments, planning register records or the planning department contact route.
It also converts Aberdeenshire’s validation checklist and applicant guidance PDFs into practical steps, including red-line boundaries, ownership certificates, access to public roads, private drainage, water supplies, scale bars, plan schedules, materials and the 5MB ePlanning file limit.
Quick answer: use Aberdeenshire Council’s Public Access register to search, view, comment on and track existing planning applications. Use Scotland’s ePlanning portal when submitting a new planning application or post-submission documents. Use the council’s permission-check route if you are unsure whether a project needs planning permission.
The fastest route is: search by reference if you have one, read the latest documents and drawings, check the consultation deadline, submit a valid planning comment if needed, then use ePlanning only when you are ready to submit a new form with the correct plans, fee and supporting information.
Choose the Correct Aberdeenshire Planning Route
Aberdeenshire planning tasks split across the Public Access register, ePlanning Scotland, planning advice pages, enforcement, building standards and local policy maps. Use the card that matches your job.
Search a planning application
Use the Public Access register for live and historic planning records, validated documents, drawings, comments, progress tracking and email updates.
Use simple search or map search
Use simple search for quick reference or address checks. Use map-style searching where a site is rural land, a farm, a private track, a field, a village edge or an energy site.
Comment on an application
Comment through the planning register during the public consultation period. Include your full name, full address, application reference, clear support/objection stance and planning reasons.
Check planning permission
Use Aberdeenshire’s permission-check guidance before applying. Listed buildings, conservation areas, change of use, extensions and prior approvals need careful checks.
Apply for permission
Submit most applications through the Scottish Government ePlanning portal. Use the forms wizard and fee calculator before uploading.
Report a breach
Check the planning register and permitted development position first. Then report a possible breach with full evidence and your contact details.
Aberdeenshire Planning Register vs ePlanning Scotland
This is the main user-intent split. The council register is for existing records; ePlanning is for creating and submitting planning-related forms.
| User task | Correct route | Common mistake to avoid |
|---|---|---|
| Search Aberdeenshire council planning applications | Public Access register | Opening ePlanning and expecting to find public comments or neighbour letters. |
| View documents, drawings and decisions | Application record in Public Access | Relying on the proposal title without opening the current plans. |
| Make a public comment | Planning register comment function | Submitting without full name/address or without material planning reasons. |
| Track progress or get email updates | Public Access account / email updates | Checking once and missing revised drawings or the final decision. |
| Submit a new planning application | ePlanning Scotland | Uploading forms without fee, ownership certificate or correct site boundary. |
| Send extra documents after submission | Post Submission Additional Documents form | Forgetting the application reference or original portal reference. |
How to Search Aberdeenshire Council Planning Applications
Use a narrow search first. Aberdeenshire has rural addresses, farms, settlements, hamlets, private roads and energy sites where normal postcode searching may not be enough.
Start with the application reference
Use the APP reference from a neighbour notice, Gazette notice, site notice, case officer email, committee paper or decision notice. Copy only the reference and remove extra spaces.
If you do not have a reference, simplify the location
Try settlement, road name, farm name, house name, postcode, town, village, parish-style place name or one proposal keyword such as “extension”, “conversion”, “wind”, “battery”, “track”, “dwelling”, “windows” or “change of use”.
Use map search for land-based sites
For land at a field, estate, track, energy route, forestry/agricultural building, private access or rural settlement edge, map-style searching is often faster than address search.
Open the full case record
Read validated documents, plans, comments, consultee replies, decision notice, conditions, related cases and application progress before commenting, buying or building.
Aberdeenshire Planning Applications Simple Search and Map Checks
Suggested keywords such as “simple search” and “simple search map” usually mean users want a quick route to find a case without understanding every search tab. Use this decision table.
| Search situation | Best search method | Micro-step |
|---|---|---|
| You have the APP reference | Simple search | Paste the exact reference and open the current application record. |
| You have a postcode or full address | Simple search first | Try postcode, then house name/number and road separately if no result appears. |
| You only know the village or locality | Keyword / locality search | Use the locality plus one proposal keyword, then filter by date if needed. |
| The site is land, a field or a track | Map search | Zoom around the site and cross-check the red-line boundary in the documents. |
| You want recent cases | Weekly lists | Use weekly lists for newly registered applications and area monitoring. |
| You want to know what was approved | Decision filters / record documents | Open the decision notice and approved plan list, not just the status label. |
Documents to Read Before You Comment, Buy or Build
A planning record is more than the headline proposal. Read the current plan set and any technical documents before you decide what the application really means.
Location plan
Check the solid red-line boundary, access to the public road, drainage, private water supply, curtilage and any land needed to facilitate the development.
Site and block plan
Check access, visibility splays, parking, drainage, levels, boundaries, trees, neighbouring buildings and how the proposal fits the site.
Elevations, floor plans and sections
Check scale, dimensions, roof ridge/eaves height, levels, window positions, rooflights and materials. Do not rely on “to match existing”.
Technical reports
Look for drainage impact assessment, flood risk assessment, tree survey, bat survey, private water supply and ecology information where relevant.
Comments and consultations
Read neighbour comments, internal service comments and consultee replies before adding your own representation.
Decision notice and conditions
If approved, read conditions and approved plan numbers. Conditions can control materials, drainage, landscaping, access, timing or further details.
Comment, Object or Support Aberdeenshire Planning Applications
Aberdeenshire can only count valid comments. Submit during the consultation period, identify the application clearly, and focus on material planning considerations.
Planning points that can matter
- Light received by neighbouring property.
- Privacy and amenity.
- Appearance of the area.
- Conservation area impact.
- Setting or character of a listed building.
- Built heritage impact.
- Previous planning decisions on land use.
- Noise, odour and disturbance.
- Traffic and parking.
- Natural environment.
- Design, layout and materials.
- Local, regional, strategic and national planning policies.
Points Aberdeenshire says it cannot normally take into account
- Perceived loss of private view.
- Devaluation in property value.
- Building regulation matters.
- Personal views about the applicant.
- Boundary ownership disputes.
- Inappropriate or offensive remarks.
- Duplicate comments from the same person where the content is the same.
Check the deadline first
The usual period is 21 days from valid receipt. EIA cases have 30 days from the neighbour notification or public advert. Check the specific application page for the live deadline.
Write the comment offline
Draft your comment in notes first. Include date, full name and address, planning application reference, site name/address and whether you object or support.
Submit through the register where possible
The most secure route is the planning register during the consultation period. You can also write to the council, but online submission gives a receipt.
Check Aberdeenshire Council Planning Permission Before Applying
Some development may be permitted, but Aberdeenshire warns that permission may be needed for new buildings, major changes such as extensions, change of use, works in conservation areas and works to listed buildings.
You might need permission
Common triggers include building something new, making a major change, extending a building, changing use, works in a conservation area or works to a listed building.
Permitted development is guidance-sensitive
Scottish permitted development rights can apply, but conditions, conservation controls, listed buildings and prior approval can change the answer.
Use a certificate for certainty
For formal proof that existing or proposed development is lawful, use a certificate of lawfulness through the national planning portal.
Apply for Aberdeenshire Planning Permission Through ePlanning
Most planning applications are submitted through the Scottish Government ePlanning portal. The portal includes a forms wizard, fee calculator and downloadable forms.
Create or sign in to your ePlanning account
First-time portal users need an account. After that, create a proposal for the project and choose the correct form under the draft forms section.
Select the right form
Use the forms wizard if you are unsure. You cannot submit documentation without a form attached to the proposal.
Upload documents within file limits
ePlanning allows 5MB for individual documents and 200MB total. Use the Post Submission Additional Documents form if you need to send more information later.
Click both final submission confirmations
At the final step, click both “I Accept” and “Submit”. If you do not receive an email saying the submission is waiting for Aberdeenshire, check that it has not remained in draft.
Pay the correct fee
The application fee is set nationally by the Scottish Government. Aberdeenshire says it cannot process an application without the appropriate fee.
Aberdeenshire Validation Checklist Explained in User Steps
The validation checklist and applicant guidance explain what must be included so the council can register and assess the application. Missing or unclear information can slow validation and delay the decision.
| Application type or issue | Validation clue | User action |
|---|---|---|
| Householder applications | Application form, fee, location plan, site plan, floor plans, elevations, sections/levels, roof plan and materials can all be relevant. | Put the whole lawful residential curtilage in the red line and show the works clearly. |
| Full planning permission | Can require full drawing set plus design statement, design and access statement, PAC, EIA, ICNIRP or other reports where criteria are met. | Check proposal scale and site constraints before assuming a simple drawing pack is enough. |
| Planning permission in principle | Needs application form, fee, location plan and site plan, with existing plans where appropriate. | Remember it tests principle only and does not normally authorise starting work. |
| Listed building consent | Window and door cross-sections may be required, with 1:20 scale drawings for windows/doors. | Show detailed fabric changes, not just broad elevations. |
| Change of use | Statements on traffic movements, hours of operation and number of employees may be needed. | Explain real operational impacts, servicing, parking and layout. |
| Existing certificate of lawfulness | Needs sufficient evidence that the use, operation or matter is lawful. | Provide dated photos, bills, declarations, records and clear chronology where relevant. |
| Prior notifications | Different requirements apply for agriculture, forestry, telecoms, conversions and prior approval stages. | Use the specific prior notification guidance, not a generic planning application checklist. |
Red Line, Blue Line, Access, Drainage and Rural Site Boundaries
Aberdeenshire’s validation guidance is very practical here: boundaries must be clear, continuous and linked to the real land needed for the development.
Red-line boundary rules
- Use a continuous solid red line, not a dashed red line.
- Do not add other red lines that make the site boundary ambiguous.
- Include all elements requiring permission.
- For householder applications, include the whole lawful residential curtilage.
- For rural or remote sites, add a supplementary location plan at a larger scale where helpful.
Access, visibility and services
- Show new, altered or existing vehicular access from the site to the bell-mouth of the public road where required.
- Show visibility splay land in blue or provide control evidence where relevant.
- Include development required for visibility splays inside the red-line boundary.
- Show connection points to private water supply or drainage systems.
- Show new private water supply sources, drainage systems and SuDS infrastructure inside the application site where needed.
Plans, Dimensions, Materials and Drawing Schedules
Aberdeenshire’s validation guidance says many invalid applications relate to scale, red/blue lines, lack of elevation/section detail, missing scale bars and unclear dimensions.
Drawing checks before upload
- Number every plan.
- Add revision references or revision numbers to amended plans.
- Use a drawing or plan register for larger applications.
- Put scale and written dimensions on elevations and floor plans.
- Show height to eaves, roof ridge, overall length and overall width.
- Put a scale and scale bar on other plans.
- Show sections and levels to a fixed datum point where required.
Materials and design detail
- Show existing and proposed materials on plans.
- Do not rely on “to match existing”.
- Show rooflight positions on floor plans when they relate to rooms.
- For listed windows and doors, include proper sections and detailed scale drawings.
- For change of use, show existing and proposed floor plans clearly.
- Use design/access statements where national, major or listed criteria require them.
Major, National, Energy and Prior Notification Applications
Large or unusual projects in Aberdeenshire often need extra procedure before an application is submitted. Energy, transmission, agriculture, forestry and marine fish farm proposals can follow different routes.
Proposal of Application Notice
The validation checklist says a POAN must be submitted at least 12 weeks before a planning application is made where that route applies.
PAC report
Major/national development applications may need a pre-application consultation report explaining what consultation was carried out, comments received and how the applicant responded.
Energy development comments
Some Electricity Act applications, including windfarms and battery storage over 50MW and overhead lines over 33kV, require comments to the Energy Consents Unit rather than Aberdeenshire.
Agriculture and forestry
Prior notification requirements differ for agricultural/forestry buildings, private ways and building conversions. Use the specific prior notification guidance before starting work.
Marine fish farms
Aberdeenshire says some forms, including marine fish farm application forms, can only be submitted by email after downloading from ePlanning.
Processing agreements
For complex local developments, Aberdeenshire recommends a Planning Processing Agreement to identify key processes, information needs and timescales.
What Happens After You Submit an Aberdeenshire Planning Application
After receipt, Aberdeenshire allocates a planning officer who looks after the case from start to finish. The officer’s contact details appear on correspondence.
Acknowledgement and reference
The officer sends a letter with the application reference number, target decision date and advisory information.
Missing information request
If information is missing, Aberdeenshire can formally request items such as drainage details, flood risk, private water supply information, bat survey or tree survey. Applicants have 28 days to provide it or refusal may follow.
Validation and publication
Once validated, details are published on the Public Access register where anyone can comment during the consultation period.
Assessment and site visit
The planning officer visits the site, checks policy, reviews information, organises consultations and considers valid comments.
Decision, conditions or committee
Most applications are dealt with by planning officers, but some are referred to councillors, the area committee or another committee. If approved, conditions may be attached.
Aberdeenshire Council Planning Department Contact Routes
Use self-service links first where possible. When contacting the planning department, include the application reference, site address, portal reference, document name or enforcement evidence.
| Need | Official route | Prepare first |
|---|---|---|
| General planning enquiry | planning@aberdeenshire.gov.uk or general enquiry telephone route | Short question, site address and relevant reference if available. |
| ePlanning submission check | Aberdeenshire ePlanning team | Portal reference number and confirmation email status. |
| Planning enforcement | planningenforcement@aberdeenshire.gov.uk or enforcement form | Address, evidence, dates, photos and possible planning breach description. |
| Paper correspondence | ePlanning team, Aberdeenshire Council, Viewmount, Arduthie Road, Stonehaven, AB39 2DQ | Reference number, site address and signed documents where required. |
| Local team query | Relevant local planning team | Check which team covers Banff and Buchan, Garioch, Buchan, Formartine, Kincardine and Mearns, Marr or Energy. |
Planning Enforcement and Breach Reports
Aberdeenshire planning enforcement is for breaches of planning control, not every neighbour dispute. Search the register and check permitted development before reporting.
Before reporting
- Check whether the development has planning permission.
- Check whether it may be permitted development.
- Collect photographs, diary of events and measurements where safe.
- Complete the complaint form in full.
- Do not submit anonymously, because anonymous complaints are not considered.
Time limits
- Four-year limit for unauthorised operational development including change of use to a dwelling house.
- Ten-year limit for other development, other changes of use and breaches of condition.
- After immunity, action may not be possible.
- Reported names are usually treated confidentially, but court or information-law situations can affect disclosure.
Planning Permission vs Building Warrant in Aberdeenshire
Aberdeenshire explains that planning permission is different from a building warrant and that to carry out work legally you usually need both. Check both routes before starting work.
Planning permission
Checks how development looks, fits with surroundings, affects the neighbourhood, community, traffic, historic environment and natural environment.
Building warrant
Checks whether building work meets Scottish building standards for construction, safety, energy, access, drainage and technical compliance.
Related UKPlanningPortal Guides for Scottish Planning Users
These same-site guides are useful because they explain similar Scottish planning-register, ePlanning, map-search, comment and validation routes without competing with this Aberdeenshire page.
Official Aberdeenshire Planning Links by Task
Use the official link that matches your task. Keep the APP reference, site address, ePlanning portal reference, red-line plan or comment draft ready before opening a live service.
Independent guide note: this page helps users navigate Aberdeenshire planning tasks. Always verify live application records, comments, deadlines, forms, fees, portal steps, contact routes and legal requirements on Aberdeenshire Council, ePlanning Scotland or Scottish Government official pages before acting.
Aberdeenshire Council Planning FAQs
Where do I search Aberdeenshire Council planning applications?
Use Aberdeenshire Council’s Public Access planning register. It lets users search the register, view validated applications with documents and drawings, make comments, track progress and sign up for email updates.
Is the Aberdeenshire Council planning portal the same as ePlanning Scotland?
No. Aberdeenshire Public Access is for searching, viewing, commenting and tracking existing applications. ePlanning Scotland is the online route for submitting most new planning applications and additional documents.
How do I make a planning comment in Aberdeenshire?
Open the application on the planning register and use the make a comment function during the consultation period. Include your full name, full address, application reference, site address and clear planning reasons.
How long do I have to comment on an Aberdeenshire planning application?
The usual period is 21 days from valid receipt of the application. Applications requiring an Environmental Impact Assessment have 30 days from neighbour notification or public advert.
What planning objections are valid in Aberdeenshire?
Valid planning points can include light, privacy, amenity, appearance of the area, conservation area, listed building setting, built heritage, previous planning decisions, noise, odour, disturbance, traffic, parking, natural environment, design, layout, materials and planning policies.
What comments are not normally planning considerations?
Aberdeenshire says perceived loss of private view, property devaluation, building regulation matters, personal views about the applicant and boundary ownership disputes are not normally planning considerations.
How do I apply for Aberdeenshire planning permission?
Use Scotland’s ePlanning portal for most planning applications. Create an account, create a proposal, choose the correct form, upload documents, click both final submission confirmations and pay the correct fee.
Why might an Aberdeenshire planning application be invalid?
Common reasons include missing or incorrect fee, unclear red/blue-line boundaries, dashed or ambiguous red lines, missing access or service land, poor scale/detail on elevations or sections, missing scale bars/dimensions, unnumbered plans and materials described only as “to match existing”.
What file size does ePlanning allow for Aberdeenshire applications?
Aberdeenshire’s ePlanning guidance states that the portal has a maximum file size of 5MB for individual documents and 200MB total.
How do I contact Aberdeenshire Council planning department?
Use the official contact page. General planning enquiries can use planning@aberdeenshire.gov.uk, enforcement uses planningenforcement@aberdeenshire.gov.uk, and paper correspondence goes to the ePlanning team at Viewmount, Arduthie Road, Stonehaven, AB39 2DQ.