Quick Links
Planning Applications List - The current up to date list of planning applications
Planning applications closing dates - List of closing dates for applications for upcoming Planning & Development Committee Meetings.
Application Forms - List of all downloadable planning application forms
The Planning Department discharges the Council's statutory planning and related duties and plays a key role in managing competing pressures to allow a viable community to thrive on the Isles of Scilly. There is a balance to be struck between protecting our unique environment and allowing sufficient development to house local people and enable the economy to prosper and diversify. The purpose of planning after all is to control the development and use of land on behalf of the community.
For the national planning context visit the Planning Portal Opens in a new window. You can also contact the Planning Portal direct via email. The Planning Portal provides a guide detailing information on all aspects of the planning process. You can submit your planning application online from the Planning Portal website.
The entire archipelago is only 1600ha and is home to a permanent population of 2000. It is designated as a Conservation Area, Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB) and Heritage Coast. There are 26 Sites of Special Scientific Interest, a Special Area of Conservation under the EU Habitats Directive, a Special Protection Area under the EU Birds Directive, a Ramsar site (international designation for bird life) and a non-statutory Marine Park.
There are over 120 listed buildings, with a higher than average proportion Grade I and II*, and over 230 Scheduled Ancient Monuments, the highest density per hectare of any English authority.
There is a wealth of shipwrecks and other marine archaeology.
This outstanding environment is of international importance and brings in 120,000 visitors a year sustaining the tourism industry that makes up 85% of the islands' economy. There is pressure for development, but policies restrict it to that which is essential although this still creates a lot of building activity for a small area.
The department reports to the Planning & Development Committee of the Council and is responsible for the preparation of the Isles of Scilly Local Plan and the Local Development Framework, development control (planning applications etc...), conservation, AONB management plan, building control, land charge searches and economic development.
As well as keeping in touch with the community, there is ongoing dialogue on the islands (Duchy of Cornwall Opens in a new window, Isles of Scilly Wild life trust Opens in a new windowetc.) and with national agencies (English heritage Opens in a new window, Natural England Opens in a new window etc.) to ensure that all decisions are fully informed.
The planning department is located at:
Old Wesleyan Chapel
Garrison Lane
St. Mary's
Isles of Scilly
TR21 0JD
Tel: 01720 424350
Fax: 01720 424317
Email: planning@scilly.gov.uk
You can explore the planning department pages using the menu on the left hand side of the page.
