Scottish Planning Appeal Decisions Service (SPADS) - Archive

Every year around 1,200 planning appeal decisions are made by the Directorate For Planning and Environmental Appeals (DPEA).

IDOX Information Services takes all of the decision letters and inquiry reports and writes an indicative abstract which is then entered onto a specially developed database. The database contains a summary of every decision letter and inquiry report issued since 1985. The original letters are also held in the IDOX Information Service library.

Each abstract entry includes the following key information: Scottish Executive reference number; date of appeal; name of appellant; expenses awarded; type of appeal; planning authority; existing use(s); proposed use(s); reasons for local authority consent refusal; determining issues; reporter's conclusions; and decision. Our database can help you research how planning legislation and guidance is interpreted, and how appeals in Scotland are decided.

What does membership include?

The SPADS service is unique. Our team will:

• Carry out complex historical database searches for customers.
• Issue copies of decision letters and reports.
• Send a monthly SPADS Update electronically to all members. The Update contains a list of all the Scottish planning appeal decision letter and report abstracts added to our database within the previous month.

Who would find it useful?

The service may be useful for any individual or organisation involved in the appeals or planning process. Current members cite the following benefits of using the service:

• Improving knowledge about similar appeals.
• Accurate information about planning appeal precedents.
• Up-to-date details of appeal decisions by a particular Inspector.

How do I access the Service?

IDOX Information Service Members can use the service free of charge. Ad hoc users of the service will be charged £60 for each database search and £25 for each decision letter and inquiry report copy (costs exclude VAT).