Aberdeenshire Local Development Plan 2016 Identification of issues

What is a Development Plan? Legally..... Section 2 of the Planning etc. (Scotland) Act 2006 –“a detailed statement of the planning authority's policies and proposals as to the development and use of the land” Practically –Where development should and should not take place –Under what conditions development should take place –What community benefits development should deliver Functionally Section 37 of the Town and Country Planning (Scotland) Act 1997 –“In dealing with such an application the authority shall have regard to the provisions of the development plan, so far as material to the application, and to any other material considerations”

What are development plans? Circular 1/2009 “Development Planning” –succinct and set out ambitious long term visions for their areas. –kept up-to-date – a practical framework within which the outcome of planning applications can be decided with a degree of certainty and efficiency. –All interests should be engaged as early and as fully as possible –clear focus on high quality outcomes. –concise map-based documents that focus on their specific main proposals for the period up to year 10 from adoption. –scale and location of growth up to year 20. –Minor proposals and detailed policies may be removed to supplementary guidance, especially if there is no significant change from the previous plan. Long Term Succinct Provide certainty Practical Up to Date Relevant Map Based Quality outcomes Local Development Plan

Ancient History? Aberdeenshire Local Development Plan 2012 –Adopted June 2012 –Main Issues Report 2009 –Proposed Plan 2010 –Public Examination 2011 – 54 public meetings –15000 submissions –851 “bids “ for development –14 Policies, –52 Supplementary guidance statements –159 Housing sites –72 Business land sites

Outcomes from the LDP 2012 Major new development sites to 2023 Improved design agenda Realistic developer contributions 40% open space Benchmark 25% affordable Housing on site Robust assessment of landscape Policies for sustainable rural communities

Why Prepare a new Plan Issues from 2009 are not the issues of 2013 New Strategic Development Plan Take up of development land allocations – re-fill the reservoir Keep the plan up to date and relevant

Programme for delivery of LDP What are the main issues? What new sites should we consider? Main Issues Report Consultation Proposed Plan Objection Examination Adoption

What are the main issues? Early engagement –With Community Council Forums –With Focus groups –With Elected members Analysis –Policy performance –“Unintended consequences”

What are main issues? “Progress reports issued in the course of an ongoing process of engagement” General proposals for development in the area Proposals as to where development should and should not occur Differences from the existing plan Sufficient detail for Strategic Environmental Assessment Alternatives

What are your main issues? Spatial issues –“too much development is allowed in Inverellon, not enough in Peterhaven” –“We need a supermarket in Frasory” Policy issues –“planners don’t require good house design” –“We should be allowing development of industrial parks for housing Site issues –“This is where development should be promoted in Laurencetor” There are no such places as Inverellon, Peterhaven, Frasory or Laurencetor!

What do we think “main issues” might be? Review of existing policy –No change required –Minor changes for clarity –Main Issue!!! Engagement with Development Management –Application types that may require attention New information

Possible main issues: 1 Wind energy –Spatial strategy –Responding to explosive demand –Cumulative impacts –Landscape impacts –Household impacts Is the current policy fit for purpose? Do we identify areas where wind turbines should and should not be allowed?

Possible main issues: 2 “Green Networks” –Recreation + conservation –Spaces between villages –“Wildlife corridors” –Core Paths Do we promote and identify green networks as places where development should not occur?

Possible main issues: 3 Climate Change resilience – Flood risk –Water Conservation –Energy conservation Move to managing climate change as well as combating it

Possible main issues: 4 Rural development –Continued demand for rural living –Impacts on sustainability of services –Loss of opportunity for villages Is the rural development policy fit for purpose. Does it need to be more (or less) restrictive?

Possible main issues: 5 Housing affordable to those on modest incomes –Creation of sustainable mixed communities –Acceptability of cash contributions elsewhere –Development viability as a justification for removing an affordable housing requirement –Affordability by design Is the policy sound. Do we need to review the processes used ?

What are your main issues? Sustainable development New shops Traffic congestion House design Land for business Wind turbines More parks New schools Historic buildings Community facilities Affordable housing Don’t build here Build here

November 2013 Main Issues Report Published Public meetings across Aberdeenshire 12 week consultation Responses by 1 February 2014

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