Forming a key part of the Scottish Government’s new planning system, the scheme has been introduced to increase community involvement in the planning and spatial design process.

Local Place Plans (LPPs) give communities an opportunity to work up proposals for the development and use of land in the place where they live and offer the opportunity for a community-led, but collaborative approach to local place-making, setting out proposals for the development and use of land.

LPPs can be specific to a single place or building or cover a wider geographic area, but need to be registered with Aberdeenshire Council which is legally required to make them available. These plans can be promoted and developed by community council or any individual or a collection of community groups that meet the criteria.

Once registered, LPPs will be taken into account in the preparation of the region’s Local Development Plan.

Paul Macari, Head of Planning and Economy at Aberdeenshire Council, explains: “It is for the community body preparing the LPP to determine the scope of their submission and there are a range of issues and development proposals which they may deem appropriate. These might range from identification of sites which support climate change adaptation or renewable energy or flood mitigation, local initiatives for the promotion of active travel and community food growing or identification of sites for specific uses, including housing, local employment or tourism and community facilities.

“A key factor within LLPs will also be around retaining and improving or expanding open space, play facilities and other green/blue infrastructure, including identification of spaces that are of particular value to the community.”

Once registered, LPPs will be taken into account in the preparation of the region’s Local Development Plan and therefore will have weight within the planning process. While LPPs can be produced at any time, their integration with the LDP will be greatly facilitated if they are prepared and consulted upon for submission in late 2024.

Those wishing to receive more information should email [email protected]

Aberdeenshire Council encouraging communities to help develop Local Place Plans