Overview of the Act Chief planning officers Section 50:  Chief planning officers
249.Section 50 inserts a new section 1A into the 1997 Act, which requires each planning authority to have a chief planning officer to advise the authority about their functions under the planning Acts and any other functions relating to development. When appointing a chief planning officer, the planning authority must be satisfied that the officer has appropriate qualifications and experience, having regard to any guidance on that matter issued by the Scottish Ministers.