Aberdeenshire Local Development Plan 2009

Responding tothe Main Issues Report.

Context

• National

• Regional

• Local

National Context- Scottish Planning Policy

The Purpose of PlanningPlanning guides the future development and use of

land. Planning is about where development should happen, where it should not and how it interacts with its surroundings. This requires promoting and facilitating development, while protecting and enhancing the natural and built environment in which we live, work and spend our leisure time.

The Scottish Government believes that a properly functioning planning system is essential to achieving its central purpose of increasing sustainable economic growth

Regional Context – The Finalised Structure Plan

What are we seeking to do?

Replacement of Aberdeenshire Local Plan because...

• It has been overtaken by events (Current plan no longer fit for purpose)

• Allows us to update our thinking on policy issues• Allows us to implement the emerging Structure Plan• Allows us to plan where new development will take

place over the next 10-15 years

What is the timetable for preparing the new plan?

Jan -October 2008

Oct.- Feb 2009

May 2009

February 2010

May 2010

March 2011

Policy review

Identification of sites

Main issues report

Representations

Proposed Plan

Objections

Local Inquiry

Development Plan Scheme

The Main Issues Report

• Publication of Main Issues Report on 18 May.

• Local Development Plan objectives• Settlement strategy• Main policy changes• Site development options

• Monitoring Report, Interim Strategic Environmental Assessment

Options and choices

• Grow and diversify the economy• Take on the challenges of sustainable development • Make sure the area has enough people, homes and

jobs to support services and facilities • Protection and improvement of assets and

resources • Sustainable mixed communities with the highest

standards of design• Make efficient use of the transport network

• Grow and diversify the economy• Take on the challenges of sustainable development • Make sure the area has enough people, homes and

jobs to support services and facilities • Protection and improvement of assets and

resources • Sustainable mixed communities with the highest

standards of design• Make efficient use of the transport network

AIM: Make sure the area has enough people, homes and jobs to support services and facilities

• Maintain a rolling 7 year supply of effective housing and employment land.

• Allocations must be related to each settlement’s ability to accommodate it and in accordance with the spatial strategy of the finalised Structure Plan.

AIM: Sustainable mixed communities with the highest standards of design

• Long-term site planning to encourage the provision of mix of uses and services appropriate to the size and needs of the neighbourhood and community.

• Excellence in design that embraces the new as well as respecting the old, and which creates diverse and efficient streetscapes.

• Balanced mix of house types and affordability in response to needs, aspirations and demand of communities.

AIM: Protection and improvement of assets and resources

• Protect and utilise opportunities to foster and interconnect the natural and historic environment as a whole, whether designated or not.

AIM: Make efficient use of the transport network

• Promote a pattern of development that assists the development of a long-term framework for the communications network, with preference to walking, cycling and public transport.

• Relate site accessibility to services and the transport network; and must adopt appropriate standards for the type of area they are located in.

AIM: Grow and diversify the economy • Maintain a supply of employment land on sites which

offer a choice of size, location and environmental amenity.

• Outwith the Strategic Growth Areas employment land must be provided in proportion to housing proposals.

• Ensure that employment land is serviced as part of wider mixed-use developments.

AIM: Take on the challenges of sustainable development

• Limit the carbon footprint of the area, and conserve and enhance natural, built and cultural heritage.

• Preserve the future area’s economic and environmental assets.

• Avoid risks associated with flooding or other major hazards, and avoid creating such risks .

Objectives

Settlement Strategy

Main Policy Issues

• Developer contributions for facilities serving sub-regional areas

• Planning for minerals• Planning for waste• What approach should we take for “enabling”

development?• Planning within the landscape• Destination retailing in rural areas• How should rural development, including housing in

the countryside, be accommodated?• How can design quality be improved?

Settlement options

How do we make our views known and how will they be dealt with?

• Written responses– Response form

• Online• E-mail• Letter

• Assessment– Split into topics– Grouping of similar comments– Consideration of professional response– Final decision by Elected members

• Area committees for sites• Infrastructure Services Committee for strategy and policy

When do we have to respond by?

Monday 6 July 2009