Loch Lomond and The Trossachs National Park’s Call for Land, Sites & Ideas: Frequently asked questions

What is a National Planning Framework 4 (NPF4)? 

A long-term plan for Scotland that sets out where development and infrastructure is needed. National Planning Framework (NPF4) guides spatial development, sets out national planning policies, designate national developments and highlight regional spatial priorities. NPF4 is part of the Development Plan, and a key factor in planning decision making. 

What is a local development plan? 

A Local Development Plan (LDP) guides how places will change in the future, including where development should and should not happen. It manages the development and use of land in the long-term public interest. 

What is a regional land use framework? 

A Regional Land Use Framework (RLUF) is a way to guide future land use change, investment and land management. The National Park is a Scottish Government pilot region testing how RLUFs could work in practice. 

Why is Loch Lomond and the Trossachs National Park combining their local development plan and land use framework into the one new plan? 

To bring development, land use and management opportunities together in one integrated approach. This will support climate and nature outcomes alongside sustainable development and foster stronger collaboration and partnership working to support delivery and local led action.  

What are Local Place Plans? 

Local Place Plans (LPPs) are community-led plans introduced by the Planning (Scotland) Act 2019. They set out communities proposals for the development and use of land and must be taken into account when preparing the Local Development and Land Use Plan. Most communities in the National Park have prepared a Local Place Plan and there a several nearing completion.  

For more information on Local Place Plans in the National Park please see here: Local Place Plans – Here. Now. All of us. – Loch Lomond & The Trossachs National Park, and FAQ Local Place Plans – Frequently Asked Questions FAQ – Here. Now. All of us. – Loch Lomond & The Trossachs National Park 

 Do Communities need to respond if they have a registered Local Place Plan already with the National Park Authority?  

No. We will review and consider your Local Place Plan as part of the plan making process. However, if your Local Place Plan is out of date, or if there are any newly arising issues or opportunities that you wish to share, please use this form to do so.  

Why have we divided the National Park into six sub-areas for this new spatial plan? 

Six place-based sub-areas were created to reflect distinct geographic areas, settlements and functional relationships. This supports a more place-based approach to planning and engagement. 

What is a Nature Network? Why are these important? 

National Planning Framework (NPF) 4 defines Nature Networks as:  

“A joined-up system of places important for wild plants and animals, on land and in water. It allows plants, animals, seeds, nutrients and water to move from place to place and enables the natural world to adapt to change, providing plants and animals with places to live, feed and breed. Effectively functioning nature networks will connect existing nature rich areas through habitat corridors, habitat ‘stepping stones’, or habitat restoration areas”. 

The planning system has a key role to play in facilitating the creation of nature networks, helping to build and strengthen networks and the connections between them. 

What is Integrated Land Management? 

Integrated Land Management is about taking a joined up, place-based approach to how land is used and managed and recognises that different land uses are all interconnected. Integrated land management can help to support land use that delivers for climate, nature and community benefits for now and into the future.  

What opportunities does this new approach present for me? 

The “Call for Land, Sites and Ideas” is a key opportunity to influence the new Local Development and Land Use Plan. This engagement stage is an opportunity for people to suggest ideas for future land use and development opportunities and to actively help inform the preparation of the new plan. 

Are there any priorities for the National Park Authority in terms of the submissions? 

Strategic guidance already exists in the National Park Partnership Plan, providing direction toward the long-term vision for the National Park. Local communities have shared their priorities and concerns through their Local Place Plans, and the evidence base for the new plan has been distilled into a series of high-level implications. Together, these sources provide a rich foundation for developing new strategies, site proposals, ideas, and potential local policy approaches. 

Are all submitted sites going to be developed? 

No. A Site Assessment process will be undertaken to help identify the proposals that are most suitable for the new Local Development and Land Use Plan. 

Can you only put forward land and sites that you own? 

No. You can respond with a proposal for land or a site that you do not own however you should clearly state this and provide details regarding any contact you have had with the site owner.  

How many proposals can you submit? 

There is no limit to how many proposals you submit.  

Is there a size limit for the land or sites that can be submitted? 

No there is no size limit.  

Can you make a submission for a proposal that was allocated in the previous Local Development Plan? 

Yes, you can. This will be included as part of the Site Assessment process and will not automatically be rolled forward into the new plan.  

Is there an option to upload supporting documents for the submission? 

Where we have asked for a location or site plan to be uploaded, you will only be able to upload one file with a maximum size of 10MB. 

However, you will have the opportunity to upload as many supporting documents as you want, with a maximum size of 20MB for each file uploaded. 

We prefer files to be in pdf or jpeg format, but we will also accept docx, pptx, xlsx, png or tiff files. You should not try to upload zip archives, or any audio or video files. 

 What if I have more question, don’t have enough information, or can’t fill out the online form? 

If you are unable to respond online or have more questions about our Call for Sites, Land and Ideas, please contact us at LocalDevPlan2@lochlomond-trossachs.org and we will advise on other ways to share your views.