The Scottish Government has published a new Local Development Planning guidance document which provides advice on how planning authorities should fulfil their statutory duty to take National Planning Framework 4 (NPF4) into account.
Local Development Plans cover each council area across Scotland. They allocate sites, either for new development, such as housing, or sites to be protected, as well as guiding decisions on all planning applications.
A new consultation has also been launched on effective community engagement in local development planning guidance.
Community engagement is a crucial part of this process, and the Scottish Government is keen to hear from both planning authorities and community organisations in response to this consultation.
This process is designed to assist communities in understanding when their engagement will be most influential or effective in the preparation of local development plans.
Responses to the consultation can be submitted via the Scottish Government website by 13 September 2023.