WARNING - By their nature, text files cannot include scanned images and tables. The process of converting documents to text only, can cause formatting changes and misinterpretation of the contents can sometimes result. Wherever possible you should refer to the pdf version of this document. CAIRNGORMS DEVELOPMENT PLAN SCHEME February 2009 1.0 Introduction The Cairngorms National Park is currently preparing for public examination of its first Local Plan. Following a Public Inquiry in May, it is envisaged that the plan can be adopted by the end of 2009. Once adopted, the Local Plan will be used by the Park Authority and the four local authorities within the Cairngorms National Park, to assess planning applications for development. The Local Plan provides a framework of policies and proposals to guide and manage the development and use of land for a five year period. The Local Plan also identifies strategic sites and land for some development to provide certainty about the use of land in the medium to longer term beyond the next five years. The Park Authority intends to commence work on a new replacement plan – a Local Development Plan, shortly afterwards, ensuring a timely, up-to-date and valid plan that best reflects the changing needs and context of the Park. 2.0 The Cairngorms National Park The Cairngorms National Park was designated in 2003 because of its outstanding natural heritage, an area of distinctive character and coherent identity centred on a mountain massif, with extensive moorland, forests and straths; it is widely recognised and valued as an outstanding environment. The Park covers some 3,800 sq km and about 5 per cent of Scotland’s land area, approximately 16,000 people live in the Park; while it welcomes 1.4 million people visitors each year. Image: Map showing the area covered by the Cairngorms National Park (Not available in full text format) 3.0 Development Plan Scheme The Park Authority is required to produce a Development Plan Scheme to outline our programme for the preparation of the new Local Development Plan, providing a provisional timetable, indicating what is involved at each stage and how we intend to ensure meaningful public engagement and participation in our plan-making. This Development Plan Scheme outlines the requirement, to publish and annually update, an ambitious but realistic timetable as required under the Planning Etc (2006) Act, in particular specifying when the Park Authority expects to: 1. Publish its main issues report; 2. Publish the proposed Local Development Plan, and; 3. Submit the Plan to Scottish Ministers. 4.0 Development Plans – Now and Emerging The Development Plan has always been a critical part of the planning system, they form the basis (along with other material considerations) of determining planning applications. Development Plans consist of two separate parts. The structure plan for an area takes a long-term view of development, considering its general scale and broadly where it should be located. Local plans are often for smaller areas, taking their strategic direction from the Structure Plan. They set out more detailed policies and proposals to guide development. The Cairngorms Park Plan 2007, itself is a material planning consideration and provides overall management of the National Park and sets the Park Authority's policy for managing and coordinating the exercise of its functions. The Park Authority currently utilise the various Development Plans put in place by the four local authorities. We are currently producing our own Local Plan for the whole park area that will eventually replace the four local authorities Local Plans. Current Structure Plans: North East Scotland Together NEST 2001 The Highland Structure Plan 2001 Moray Structure Plan 2007 Dundee and Angus Structure Plan 2002 Current Local Plans: Aberdeenshire Local Plan 2005 Moray Local 2008 Badenoch & Strathspey Local Plan 1997 Angus Local Plan Review 2008 Cairngorms Deposit Local Plan (2nd Modifications) For further information please refer to the following link: http://www.scotland.gov.uk/Topics/Built Environment/planning/publications/guides/guide-to-planning Image: front cover of the Deposit Local Plan The Deposit Local Plan One of the key changes in the new planning system is a requirement to keep Development Plans up to date. Often plans are complex, outdated and no longer reflective of the local needs of the area. The changes will lead to the eventual reduction in the number and type of plans we use, including the removal of the requirement for a Structure Plan in the Park area and the replacement of Local Plans with Local Development Plans, creating a single tier of Development Plans, as set out in the Planning Etc (Scotland) Act 2006. We expect that work to review and replace the Local Plan will commence as soon as possible, following its adoption, to put in place a Local Development Plan, to reflect the needs of the modernised system. We intend to provide a full, robust and transparent planning framework quickly and efficiently. The Park Authority expect work to begin this year when we invite views on the main issues affecting the Park area. 5.0 The Local Development Plan Action Plan and Timeline The preparation of a new Local Development Plan and accompanying Strategic Environmental Assessment (SEA) to identify and assess the environmental effects of the plan, will involve extensive consultation with stakeholders and most importantly, the public. The Plan in context National Park Plan Plan Review Other relevant strategies eg Core Paths Plan Local Housing Strategies National Guidance eg Scottish Planning Policy LDP Supplementary Guidance eg Sustainable Design Guide evidence Masterplans/Development Other supporting evidence eg Topic based research Participation: How we will engage and consult The planning system is there to promote, facilitate and regulate development in the public interest. The Park Authority acknowledge public awareness of the development planning process is vitally important and welcome Scottish ministers determination to make the planning system more inclusive, accessible to everyone with greater openness and accountability in the decision-making process. People can expect to be engaged early in the process both prior to, and following the publication of the Local Development Plan. The Plan will be prepared in an easily digestible format and publication of the various related documents (Participation Statement, Main Issues Report, SEA etc.) will be advertised in local newspapers, on the planning authority's website, and also be made widely available. At the start of the local development planning processes, the planning authority will widely publish a Major Issues Report and a detailed Participation Statement which will set out how and when people can get involved with the plan preparation. Action Plan: The various stages of the preparation process: • Publishing the development plan scheme (DPS); • Initial publicity and engagement – determining the main issues; • Prepare and Publish a report on the main issues that the plan shall consider and a draft SEA Environmental report – formal consultation; • Prepare and Publishing the proposed Draft Plan and Environmental report; • Make Modifications to the Draft Plan, as required, carry out consultation on those changes; • Carrying out a public local inquiry, if required; • Make further modifications if required, following Reporters Recommendations, • Adopting the Plan, SEA environmental report and implementation programme; • Implementation, monitoring and review of the plan. Our Action Plan Timetable The Action Plan Timeline identifies the main components which the Park Authority shall undertake, the time scales within are reflective of the preparatory work, availability of a robust evidence base and the scale of engagement and consultation. However the time required for various parts of the plan may take longer than envisaged, stakeholders will be kept informed and updates made regularly. Action Plan Timeline STAGE / ACTION PLAN: / SEA / TIMESCALE Stage 1 Publishing the development plan scheme (DPS) None March 2009 Stage 2 Initial publicity and engagement Screening & Scoping Reports and Process September 2009 to February 2009 Stage 3 Main issues Report – formal consultation 12 weeks Assess and prepare SEA report and consultation February 2010 to May 2010 Stage 4 Prepare, Publishing and consult on Draft Plan – formal consultation 20 weeks (Summer) Formal consultation June 2010 to October 2010 Stage 5 Make Modifications to the Draft Plan as required, further consultation and review. Place on deposit Assess comments, review proposed changes October 2010 to March 2011 Stage 6 Public Examination – Local Plan Inquiry None May 2010 Stage 7 Consider Reporters Recommendations, publish any changes if required, advertise Modifications if required September 2011 Stage 8 Adopt the Plan and implementation programme, publicise intention to adopt, submit to Scottish Ministers if Adopt the SEA report November 2011 Stage 9 Put plan in place and monitor None December 2011 Further Information: Published by the Cairngorms National Park Authority. Contact the planning team: Albert Memorial Hall Station Square Ballater (t) 01339 753601 (f) 01339 755334 Email: planning@cairngorms.co.uk