What is a Local Development Plan?
Part of:
The next Local Development Plan
The planning system in Scotland is ‘plan led’ and the statutory Development Plan for any place in Scotland consists of National Planning Framework 4, which covers all of the country, and the Local Development Plan for the planning authority area where the place is (Figure 1).
Figure 1 The Scottish Statutory Development Plan
Strategic direction within the National Park is also provided by the Cairngorms National Park Partnership Plan 2022. The National Park Partnership Plan is the overarching management plan for the Cairngorms National Park which has been approved by Scottish Ministers. It sets out the vision and overarching strategy for managing the National Park, as well as identifying priorities for action and an overall strategic policy framework. Furthermore, the National Park Partnership Plan acts as the Regional Spatial Strategy for the National Park, which is intended to address strategic development and issues.
Scottish Government guidance states that Local Development Plan for National Parks should be consistent with the National Park Partnership Plan and Regional Spatial Strategy. The National Park Partnership Plan therefore provides the strategic context for the Local Development Plan, and the Local Development Plan will help to deliver a number of the National Park Partnership Plan’s policies and priorities.
At a local level the development plan may be influenced by Local Place Plans (LPPs). These are community-led plans that focus on places within local authorities’ areas, which may include particular neighbourhoods.
In May 2023 The Town and Country Planning (Development Planning) (Scotland) Regulations came into force. All planning authorities have five years from that point to replace their current Local Development Plan with a new style Plan, which is to be place-based with an emphasis on maps, site briefs and masterplans, with minimal policy wording. This means the Park Authority must prepare and adopt a new Local Development Plan by May 2028.
Alert
Relevant alerts
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There is an ongoing wildfire situation at Glenmore within the Cairngorms National Park. Click here for all the latest. We would encourage members of the public to follow current guidance and be aware that the situation may change.
Due to the this wildfire incident, the following paths and routes are closed:
- All the paths around Loch Morlich, Glenmore and Badaguish are closed.
- The Ryvoan pass is closed, this includes all access to the Green Lochan (Lochan Uaine).
- Routes providing access to Cairngorm Mountain, the Northern Corries, Meall A’Bhuachaille, Strath Nethy and Bynack more should be avoided.
- The Abernethy Forest area to the south of Forest Lodge and towards Ryvoan bothy is closed.
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Very high fire risk - 15 to 24 July
The Scottish Fire and Rescue Service has issued a very high wildfire warning impacting areas of the National Park on Wednesday 15 until Friday 24 July. If you are out and about in the Cairngorms National Park please observe the following guidance:
- Do not light any fire or barbecue, in line with the new fire byelaw
- Always ensure cigarettes are fully extinguished and take your litter (including glass) away with you
- Enjoy the outdoors responsibly - most wildfires are caused by human activity
- Stay alert - with dry vegetation and warm weather, fires can start easily, spread rapidly, and burn intensely
- If you see a wildfire, dial 999
For further updates on wildfire risk across Scotland, visit the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service website. To find out more about the fire byelaw, and to see your questions answered, visit our fire byelaw page here.
