Apparently, the Scottish Government is considering whether to raise planning fees as early as August in return for speedier decision making. It is reported that up to 20% of a hike could be justified as present fees only cover 83% of Planning System costs (not sure if thats an uptodate recession-affected figure). Understandably, on the basis speedier decisions and better attention saves money all round, the larger developers are keen on the idea but point out, getting their money back if their decisions are delayed, would not be unreasonable !
Unless planning authority resources are increased dramatically, it would seem such an arrangement might not be the most straightforward streamlining idea to implement in practice. Chances are we will get the fee increase, and soon, but merely alligned to some further committment to performance examination.

As part of Scottish Government's attempts to streamline the planning System, enhance the service and provide more openness and accountability, Highland Council has recently launched its ePlanning system whereby planning applications can be submitted and existing applications can be viewed, tracked and commented upon online. Simple searches can be conducted by address, postcode or application reference or more advanced searches via applicant name, community council/ward area, Committee date etc. A slightly irritating aspect I have found so far is, unless you know the applicant's name, it will not accompany the application details once found, nor will the decision date (delegated or Committee) if the application has been determined. These are useful details in providing comprehensive 'at a glance' information. Google the determined application reference number and eventually you ought to find the Planing Officer's report but I would have thought it easier to have provided that basic info as part of the initial search. Maybe, the info is there and it just my initial attempts to access the system but, if these advances are to be a success, they must be quick, efficient and user friendly. I have no doubt a tremendous amount of work has gone into creating the system and the general philosophy is to be welcomed. Hopefully, any initial teething problems will be be quickly overcome. Personally, my biggest problem will be trusting the accuracy of the data base but maybe that confidence will come through continued use over time.
To get started the initial link to check out and register as a user is http://www.highland.gov.uk/yourenvironment/planning/eplanning/