On what grounds it concluded that East Lothian did not need to submit a formal planning application for consideration by the Scottish minis…

As planning authorities are not allowed to grant themselves planning permission, they are required to submit details of the proposed development to the Scottish ministers for consideration as a Notice of Intention to Develop (NID).The Scottish ministers will normally make a presumption against calling for a formal application from a local authority where the proposed development either accords with the approved local plan for the area or has not attracted a significant body of objections. In the case of the extension to Aberlady Primary School, the proposal was considered to be in accord with the local plan and only six letters of representation were received. The detailed design matters relating to the extension of Aberlady Primary School are essentially for the planning authority, taking into account local circumstances and any relevant guidance. The Scottish ministers therefore did not consider that there was sufficient justification for intervention in this case.