How many planning applications has Shetland Islands Council received?

Shetland Islands Council received 259 planning applications in the last 24 months. The approval rate is 96%.

How long does Shetland Islands Council take to decide planning applications?

Shetland Islands Council takes an average of 52 days to decide planning applications. The statutory target is 8 weeks (56 days) for householder and minor applications, and 13 weeks for major applications.

What is the planning approval rate for Shetland Islands Council?

Shetland Islands Council approves 96% of planning applications. The national average across England and Wales is approximately 87%.

How do I object to a planning application in Shetland Islands Council?

To object to a Shetland Islands Council planning application, you must submit your representation to Shetland Islands Council during the public consultation period — typically 21 days from the date the application was publicised. Planning Signal shows you the consultation deadline for each application and links directly to the Shetland Islands Council planning portal where objections can be submitted.

Shetland Islands Council Planning Applications

Q: How do I search Shetland Islands Council planning applications?

You can search Shetland Islands Council planning applications by postcode on Planning Signal. Enter any postcode in the Shetland Islands Council area to see all nearby applications, filter by type, and track decisions in real time.

Search and explore Shetland Islands Council planning applications. Planning Signal is your free alternative to the Shetland Islands Council planning portal — search all recent applications, track decisions, and get alerts on new developments in the area.

Region: Scotland

About Shetland Islands Council

Governance

Leader: Emma Macdonald (Independent), since 23 May 2022

Chief Executive: Maggie Sandison, since 28 February 2018

Seats: 23 councillors

Founded: 16 May 1975

Last election: 5 May 2022

Political composition: Independent (21), Green (1), SNP (1)

Council Planning Features

Planning Applications - Browse all applications submitted to Shetland Islands Council, filterable by status, type, and size
Planning Activity Summary - Approval rates, average decision times, and application type distribution for Shetland Islands Council
Keyword Scorecard - See how often applications in Shetland Islands Council mention key planning constraints like heritage, flood risk, and environmental concerns
Council Boundary Map - Interactive map showing the council boundary and application locations
Full Details - View complete application details, dates and decision status

Council Insights

Property Prices

Area Information

Admin district: Shetland Islands
Parliamentary constituency: Orkney and Shetland
LSOA: North Mainland - 01

Crime Statistics

0 crimes reported in 2026-05.

Keyword Scorecard

Planning constraint analysis based on the last 24 months of applications in Shetland Islands Council.

Ecology & Wildlife Constraints (keywords: bats, bat survey, bat roost, great crested newt, GCN...)
Trees & Landscape (keywords: tree preservation order, TPO, arboricultural, tree survey, root protection area...)
Flood & Drainage (keywords: flood zone 2, flood zone 3, flood risk assessment, FRA, surface water...)
Heritage & Conservation (keywords: listed building, grade II, grade II*, grade I, conservation area...)
Green Belt (keywords: green belt, inappropriate development, very special circumstances, openness)
Highways & Access (keywords: visibility splays, highway authority objection, access arrangement, parking provision, transport statement...)
Refusal & Risk Indicators (keywords: refusal, delegated refusal, appeal dismissed, overdevelopment, character and appearance...)
Planning Process & Appeals (keywords: appeal lodged, appeal allowed, appeal dismissed, public inquiry, inspector)

Planning Activity Summary

Approval rates, average decision times, and application type distribution for Shetland Islands Council based on the last 24 months of planning data.

Towns and villages in Shetland Islands Council

301 towns and villages. Click any town to search for planning applications nearby.

Flood Risk

No active flood warnings in the Shetland Islands Council area.

A brief summary of Shetland Islands Council

Shetland Islands Council serves as the local authority for the Shetland Islands, one of Scotland's 32 council areas. Established in 1975 through the Local Government (Scotland) Act 1973, the council has remained stable through subsequent local government reforms. Its headquarters is located in Lerwick, making it central to planning and development activities across the islands. The council was established in 16 May 1975. The council is currently led by Emma Macdonald (Independent). The council comprises 23 councillors seats, with the most recent election held on 5 May 2022.

There were no crimes reported in the Shetland Islands Council area during the most recent reporting period.

The council area encompasses 301 towns and villages, including Da Toon o Ham and Lerwick. Planning applications across these communities can be searched using the postcode search above.

Search Shetland Islands Council Planning Applications

Planning Signal provides a free, fast planning search for Shetland Islands Council. Use the postcode search above to find planning applications near any address in the Shetland Islands Council area. Unlike the official Shetland Islands Council planning portal, Planning Signal lets you save searches, watch individual applications, and receive email alerts when decisions are made or new applications are submitted nearby.

Whether you're a resident checking Shetland Islands Council planning applications near your home, a homeowner tracking your own application, or a property professional monitoring the local market, Planning Signal gives you the tools to stay informed about planning and development across Shetland Islands Council.

Planning Activity

In the last 24 months, 259 planning applications Shetland Islands Council received. Of these, 96% were approved, with an average decision time of 52 days.

This is notably above the national average of approximately 87%, suggesting a relatively permissive planning environment. Applicants in Shetland Islands Council may find that well-prepared applications have a strong chance of success.

The average decision time of 52 days is within the government's 8-week statutory target for minor applications, indicating an efficient planning department.

The most common application types in Shetland Islands Council were full planning applications (112), discharge of conditions (64), outline applications (37). Full planning applications account for 43% of all submissions, covering new builds, change of use, and works that go beyond permitted development rights.

In terms of development scale, 1 large-scale (major) development, 164 medium-scale applications, 94 smaller schemes were submitted.

Application Outcomes

Approved: 81 applications
Refused: 2 applications
Withdrawn: 1 application
Awaiting decision: 175 applications

Related Planning Guides

What Is Planning Permission in the UK? — Planning permission is the formal approval you need from your local council before making certain changes to a building or piece of land.
What Is Permitted Development? — Permitted development rights allow certain building works and changes of use without the need to apply for planning permission.
How Long Does Planning Permission Take? — Typical timelines for planning permission decisions in the UK, from submission to approval, and what can cause delays.