FAQs
What is the Local Plan?
Why are we responsible for preparing the Local Plan?
What is in the Local Plan?
How does the Plan affect me?
How have communities been involved in the Plan to date?
What is the Local Plan?
The Local Plan provides a clear framework for the development and use of land in the National Park.
Its purpose is to:
- guide the future development of an area of outstanding landscape and environmental quality
- focus on development to be achieved over the next five years within a longer-term strategic vision
- identify proposed development sites/policies whilst safeguarding the Park’s outstanding heritage
- identify where there are opportunities for development
- promote actions for particular environmental, social and economic objectives
The Plan will help ensure that all new development:
- contributes to the Park’s special qualities
- supports the social and economic development of local communities
- enhances the Park's standing as an international visitor destination
- contributes to Scotland’s prosperity
Why are we responsible for preparing the Local Plan?
The National Park Authority is the statutory planning authority for the National Park with responsibility for receiving and determining all planning applications and for preparing a local plan. We must ensure that the planning decisions that we take fully accord with our statutory duty to deliver the four National Park aims:
- to conserve and enhance the natural and cultural heritage of the area
- to promote sustainable use of the natural resources of the area
- to promote understanding and enjoyment of the special qualities of the area by the public
- to promote sustainable economic and social development of the area's communities
This makes us very different from other planning authorities in Scotland and underpins the focus of the Local Plan.
What is in the Local Plan?
The Local Plan provides a clear framework for the development and use of land in the National Park.
It focuses on development that is to be achieved over the next five years within our longer-term strategic vision.
The Plan will determine and guide day-to-day planning decisions such as:
- where to provide new housing
- providing business space
- the use of renewable energy
- sustainable tourism
- transport developments
- conserving/enhancing built and natural heritage
- sustainable communities
In addition the Plan will require all new proposals to be accompanied by a sustainablilty checklist to demonstrate how sustainable development principles have been considered and incorporated from an early stage.
The Plan will also ensure that:
- development is of a high quality design, reinforcing local distinctiveness and character of communities and landscapes
- supplementary Design Guidance will assist in providing advice
All of these sit within the wider context of the four National Park aims above.
How does the Plan affect me?
Community involvement plays an important role in preparing local plans and in the planning system.
Individual communities can identify their planning aspirations and influence the planning process to deliver these goals.
The Plan affects everyone with an interest in the National Park, including:
- residents
- visitors
- landowners
- business owners
- employees
- developers
- public sector agencies
- local authorities
How have communities been involved in the Plan to date?