Aberdeenshire Local Development Plan 2013 Development Plan Scheme 1 Introduction In 2012 Aberdeenshire Council adopted the first Aberdeenshire Local Development Plan. This Development Plan Scheme sets out what our programme is for the preparation of the next Local Development Plan and associated Supplementary Guidance, and how and when businesses, landowners and communities can become involved in their preparation. The process of developing the Local Development Plan is one that takes several years and involves stages associated with: • the publication of a Main Issues Report, an opportunity to consider future options; • a Proposed Plan that builds on this and sets out Aberdeenshire Council’s settled view of where and when development should take place; • an examination into representations made to that plan; and finally • adoption of the plan itself. During 2013 we anticipate completing the first of these stages, the publication of the Main Issues Report. 2 Aberdeenshire Local Development Plan 2013 Development Plan Scheme 2 The Development Plan The current Development Plan for Aberdeenshire Council also occasionally publishes Planning Advice. is the Aberdeen City and Shire Structure Plan This is non-binding guidance associated with the (August 2009) and the Aberdeenshire Local implementation of policies in the plan. A complete Development Plan (July 2012). These are informed list of Supplementary Guidance and Planning Advice by the National Planning Framework for Scotland, is presented in Appendix 1. which is prepared by the Scottish Government. This framework sets out their strategy for the An ‘Action Programme’ supports the Local development of different areas of Scotland, Development Plan. This identifies what is required including national developments and priorities. to deliver development proposals included in the Local Development Plan; the name of who is to carry The Aberdeen City and Shire Structure Plan sets out each action; and the timescale for carrying out out a long term vision and development strategy each action. We are required to review the Action for the North East. It is intended that a Strategic Programme regularly and intend to do so on a rolling Development Plan will replace it in 2013 and basis. It will be formally published every 2 years. following a similar process to that above a Main Issues Report for this plan was published in 2011 The Local Development Plan will cover all of and a Proposed Plan will be published in early 2013. Aberdeenshire except for that area which is within the Cairngorms National Park. This area has its own We have to consider applications for Planning Local Development Plan. The area covered by the Permission against the current Development Plan, Local Development Plan is shown on the following associated statutory Supplementary Guidance, diagram. and other material considerations. Aberdeenshire Key to Areas Aberdeenshire and its six areas Cairngorms National Park Local Development Plan Area 3 Aberdeenshire Local Development Plan 2013 Development Plan Scheme 3 The timetable for plan preparation Circular 1/09 ‘Development Planning’ advises that will see the adoption of the Aberdeen City and that Planning Authorities should have a Local Shire Strategic Development Plan by early 2014. Development Plan adopted within 2 years of the As a result of this we need to prepare a new Local adoption of a Strategic Development Plan. The Development Plan and adopt it before 2016. Strategic Planning Authority have a programme 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 Q4 Q1 Q2 Q3 Q4 Q1 Q2 Q3 Q4 Q1 Q2 Q3 Q4 Q1 Q2 SDP programme Proposed SDP published Proposed SDP submitted Proposed SDP adopted 2 years following SDP approval LDP Programme Stage 1 Monitoring report Stage 2 Bids for development Main Issues Report to be published October Stage 3 Main issues Report 2013 Stage 4 Responses to MIR Proposed Plan to be published Stage 5 Proposed Plan October 2014 Stage 6 Consultation and Responses to proposed Plan Stage 7 Examination Stage 8 Adoption Stage 9 Action Programme Stage 10 Strategic environmental assessment Stage 11 Habitats regulations assessment The content of the plan will be influenced by the they wish to see addressed, and with developers results of monitoring exercises already underway, on identifying new sites needed for development. which look at how the new policies are being used However, the focus for engagement will be on and what their impact may be. those elements of the current Aberdeenshire Local Development Plan 2012 and its associated The plan will be supported and influenced by the Supplementary Guidance that requires to change. outcome of Strategic Environmental Assessment and Habitats Regulations appraisals undertaken We will continue to develop the Action Programme throughout its development. and keep it up to date as a live document. We believe that it is very important to engage Finally, throughout this process we will continue to with all stakeholders early in developing the new produce Planning Advice to illustrate how policies Local Development Plan and early in 2013 we will included in the current plan should be interpreted. be engaging with stakeholders on the issues that 4 Aberdeenshire Local Development Plan 2013 Development Plan Scheme Table 1 – Our timetable for the production of the Aberdeenshire Local Development Plan Period Description Comment January 2013 Call for Development Bids Invitation to the development industry and land owners to advise Aberdeenshire Council of which sites they think should be in the Local Development Plan and why. 12 weeks will be allowed for bids to be submitted February 2013 – Exploration of potential “Main Issues” Meetings have been arranged with Community May 2013 internally within Aberdeenshire Council Forums and will be held with the Council, Community Council Forums following theme groups: and stakeholder groups • Environment interests Initial evaluation of results of policy • Economic development interests monitoring • Transport Interests • Housebuilding interests April 2013 Evaluation of developer bids This will be undertaken using a standardised undertaken to inform Main Issues methodology to identify those sites that Report are preferred by planning officers and other potential sites for debate October 2013 Presentation of Main Issues Report to Once the authority has received the Main Aberdeenshire Council Infrastructure Issues Report it will be published on the Services Committee for authority to Internet, lodged in libraries and copies sent consult to key agencies and Community Councils. We will undertake a series of presentations across Aberdeenshire to encourage debate of the Main Issues Report, and re-convene meetings of the key stakeholder groups January 2014 Evaluation of the comments made on Comments made on the Main Issues Report the Main Issues Report will be summarised into ‘Issues and Actions’ papers for consideration by Area Committees of Aberdeenshire Council and Infrastructure Services Committee October 2014 We will publish the proposed plan and any revised Supplementary Guidance affected by changes to the plan We will publish the interim Strategic Environmental Assessment and Habitats Regulations assessments January 2015 We will summarise representations made to the proposed plan and prepare a report on them in the form specified by Schedule 4 of the Town and Country Planning (Development Planning) (Scotland) Regulations 2008 for Examination June 2015 We will submit the Local Development Plan for examination April 2016 We will proceed to adopt the new Local Development Plan and associated supplementary guidance 5 Aberdeenshire Local Development Plan 2013 Development Plan Scheme 4 How can you get involved: The Participation Statement Aberdeenshire Council is committed to the Before publishing the Main Issues Report we will: principles that: • publish a video article on possible ‘Main Issues’ • Community engagement must be meaningful; on the Aberdeenshire Council website; • Community engagement must be at an early • publish articles in local papers, allowing 6 weeks stage to influence the shape of plans and for people to give us their views as to what the proposals; and ‘Main Issues’ are; • It is essential for people and interest groups to • have seminars with Area Committee members, get involved in the preparation of Development invited stakeholders from environmental, Plans as this is where decisions, at the larger transport, development and rural interests to scale, for instance on the strategy for growth or identify what areas of policy are most likely protection, are made. needing to be changed; Aberdeenshire Council has adopted the “Standards • undertake a questionnaire surveys of Community for Community Engagement” in the development Councils and the General Public (through of its strategy for getting people involved in the Aberdeenshire Council’s ‘Citizens Panel’) to drawing up of the Local Development Plan. identify whether people feel we should change our policy approach; Engagement on the Development Plan Scheme and the Development Plan • meet internally with service providing groups, preparation process such as Development Management teams and our Transportation and Housing functions to • The Development Plan Scheme will be published discuss the adequacy of our current policy and press attention drawn to it. A copy will be approach; sent to all of the groups listed in section 5: Who will we consult? • meet with the key infrastructure agencies (Transport Scotland, Scottish Water, NHS • The Development