Local Development & Land Use Plan – Call for Land, Sites & Ideas

This is part of the informal engagement process of developing the new Local Development and Land Use Plan.

We invited people to put forward land, sites and ideas to help inform that Plan. This could include ideas for development, land management, nature restoration, climate action, or other ways land could be used or protected. We looked at communities Local Place Plans to see what sites have been identified in these and to include in this process. Local Place Plans will also inform the new Plan’s spatial strategy. The Call was open to everyone and specifically of interest to: landowners, developers, farmers, land and estate managers, businesses, community groups, and individuals.

Suggested Sites

The suggested sites received can be viewed on our interactive map and a summary of ideas suggested is noted below.

Additional spatial information, that supported our Evidence Report is also available to view in our Evidence Base and Strategic Flood Risk Assessment mapping resources.

Ideas received

National Park‑wide ideas reflect a range of suggestions relating to accessibility, sustainable transport, housing, and recreational infrastructure. These include expanding accessible parking, strengthening active travel networks, and considering ways to incorporate sustainable transport principles within future policy. Suggestions were also received on reviewing visitor experience policies, exploring a more permissive housing in the countryside policy, and identifying specific sites that could support affordable housing through government funding or developer contributions.

Recreation ideas include suggestions to preserve or enhance boating facilities, introduce additional slipways around Loch Lomond, and further develop the strategic network of walking and cycling routes. Climate resilience, nature‑based approaches, and community benefit are highlighted as essential cross‑cutting principles.

Area focused ideas are summarised below:

West Loch Lomond – Summary of ideas:

• Ideas focus on settlement boundaries and water access improvements.
• Adjustments to the existing settlement boundary was suggested for Luss with additional suggestions including identifying potential settlement boundaries around Aldochlay, Muirlands and Rossdhu.

East Loch Lomond – Summary of ideas:

• Ideas focus on settlement boundaries, facilities, and transport management
  including new toilets and Changing Places provision and formally designating Balmaha as a settlement with a defined boundary; extending the Croftamie settlement boundary to include  Pirniehall; and a new Park and Ride facility to manage visitor pressures and improve sustainable access in the wider East Loch Lomond area.
• Enhancing water‑based access and facilities focused on Milarrochy Bay and Rowardennan.

Strathard & Trossachs – Summary of ideas:

• Ideas relate to community led housing, flood mitigation, and long distance access routes
  including potential collaboration between the community, landowners and RSHA to explore sites that could support affordable, energy efficient housing with options for community involvement or ownership.
• Ideas from Aberfoyle include an overflow or slipway tunnel to help address flooding on Lochard Road.
• A long distance aqueduct path associated with Loch Katrine, aimed at enhancing recreation networks and visitor experience, is also suggested.

Callander & Strathearn – Summary of ideas:

• The key idea focuses on improving facilities at Station Road Car Park, including retaining it as a car park but enhancing it with EV charging, improved 24/7 accessible toilets and showers, motorhome waste disposal, and a dedicated campervan area.
• This reflects a wider theme of supporting sustainable tourism infrastructure and better visitor management.

Strathfillan & Glen Dochart – Summary of ideas:

• Ideas focus on refining settlement boundaries, dark sky designation, and active travel connectivity.
• Suggestions include amending the St Fillans settlement boundary, establishing a Dark Sky Park in the North of the National Park, and expanding active travel routes to improve local and regional connectivity.

Cowal – Summary of ideas:

• No specific area ideas were submitted.

Information drop-in sessions 

Dates and venues for the drop-in sessions

Balloch, National Park Authority Headquarters: Wednesday 21^st October, 3pm – 7pm

Arrochar, Three Villages Hall: Tuesday 27^th October, 3pm – 7pm

Killin, McLaren Hall: Thursday 29^th October, 3:30pm – 7pm

Callander, Callander Youth Project Trust: Monday 2^nd November, 3pm – 7pm

Drymen, Drymen Village Hall: Wednesday 4^th November, 5pm – 8pm

A drop-in will also be held in Aberfoyle – date TBC

You do not need to attend the whole workshop and you don’t need to register to attend.  You can just drop into the venue on the day, within the window advertised.  National Park Authority staff will be there to chat with and answer any questions.  We will also have maps showing the sites proposed in the local area, as shown in this map.  The meeting in Arrochar will cover both Cowal and West Loch Lomond sites.

If you are unable to make it to one of these sessions you can comment on the sites and ideas submitted by completing a short feedback form.

Information gathered through this process will help inform the preparation of the Proposed Plan, which will then be published for a full public consultation in 2027, allowing communities, stakeholders and individuals to comment formally before the Plan is finalised in 2028.