Eligibility for advice 

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Eligibility for the advice service

This guidance sets out Planning Aid for Scotland's (PAS) policy on eligibility for free planning advice, based on existing PAS best practice and experience.

PAS will assess all requests for advice under the criteria outlined below. Enquiries accepted will be referred to an advice service volunteer (all qualified planners) whose skills and experience appear to match the enquiry.

If we cannot accept a case we will direct the enquiry to other sources of assistance, such as:

• the appropriate planning authority
• a chartered town planning consultant
• another professional service
• an official complaints body
• any other appropriate source of help
• free legal advice

Who we can help

PAS provides free advice on the planning system and specific planning issues to:

• individuals
• local voluntary groups
• community groups
• community councils
• tenants’ associations
• residents’ organisations

PAS will also, at our discretion, provide advice to:

• charities
• social enterprises
• development trusts
• business start-ups

However, it is not within our remit to help those who could reasonably be expected to use the services of a planning consultant.

We aim, in particular, to assist those who may experience, or be at risk of, social exclusion, or have difficulty engaging with the planning system for financial or other reasons. This may include ethnic minority groups, gypsy/travellers and people who are unemployed or on low incomes.

Who we cannot help

PAS cannot provide free advice to:

• individuals employed as consultants and seeking advice in that capacity
• people who have previously used professional services e.g. architect, surveyor, solicitor, planning consultant on the details of a case
• statutory bodies
• political parties (though elected politicians can refer their constituents to the service)

We will, however, consider working in partnership, where possible and on suitable terms.

The advice service

PAS aims to give independent, professional and facilitating advice to help clients decide how best to deal with planning issues. PAS offers clients advice on how to represent themselves, or how to secure the services of an appropriate professional.

However, PAS has no advocacy role, so will not submit planning applications or make representations on behalf of clients, or represent clients at appeal. PAS will not approach the Scottish Parliament, MSPs, Councillors, the Scottish Public Services Ombudsman or the Scottish Information Commissioner on behalf of clients.

Advice service volunteers are expected to adhere to PAS’s ethos, which is to provide an enabling service - educating and informing people on how to engage with the planning system.

PAS aims to be flexible in its approach when applying the above eligibility criteria and the qualified volunteer planner dealing with any case will exercise appropriate discretion.