Introduction: priorities for development plans -- Sustainable development -- Development plan schemes -- Strategic development plans: monitoring and the evidence base; form and content; plan preparation; engagement and the main issues report; the proposed plan; modifications; submission to Scottish Ministers; examination; approval or rejection; publication of and publicity for the approved plan -- Local development plans: monitoring and the evidence base; form and content; plan preparation; engagement and the main issues; report; publicity; the proposed plan; modifications; submission to Scottish Ministers; examination; adoption -- Development plan examinations: appointment of a person to examine the plan; examination of conformity with the participation statement; scope of examination; examination procedure and further representations; post-examination Procedures; costs and administration -- Procedures where the appointed person concludes that authorities have undertaken unsatisfactory consultation -- Action programmes -- Supplementary guidance -- Key agencies -- Default powers -- Transitional arrangements -- Revocations

The Town and Country Planning (Scotland) Act 1997, as amended by Part 2 of the Planning etc. (Scotland) Act 2006, contains procedures to be followed when preparing development plans, and sets out powers to prepare regulations to give further detail on the development planning system. This Circular describes how these aspects work together, gives a description of the legal requirements, and explains the expectations of Scottish Ministers for the key parts of the process.