Formal Board Paper 1 - Evidence Report

This document contains a request for the Cairngorms National Park Authority Board to approve the 'Local Development Plan 3 – Evidence Report 2025' for submission to Scottish Ministers. This Evidence Report is a crucial first step in preparing the new Local Development Plan (LDP) by May 2028, a requirement under recent planning law changes. The report gathers initial information and evidence, informed by early consultation, to guide the future LDP, though it doesn't include specific proposals yet. After submission, the report will face an independent 'Gatecheck' review by the Division for Planning and Environmental Appeals (DPEA), which will determine if its information is sufficient. The Park Authority is mindful that many such reports are often deemed insufficient elsewhere, which could significantly delay the LDP's timeline, so they've worked diligently to ensure the report is thorough.