Working Towards a New Local Development Plan

The Planning (Scotland) Act 2019 changed the way in which Local Development Plans are produced, including up front community engagement, life of the plan changing from 5 years to 10 years and the introduction of Local Place Plans. 

The Comhairle is initiating the process of preparing a new Local Development Plan, this process takes a number of years and the different stages are shown below. 

Evidence Report

The first stage of preparing the LDP is the Evidence Report, which sets out a summary of the information gathered on a number of issues including housing, health needs and infrastructure.  The information provided will be used to inform the Local Development Plan ensuring that it is based on the future planning needs of the Outer Hebrides. 

As part of gathering the information for the Evidence Report, there is a requirement to carry out community engagement with members of the public, various groups and stakeholders.  Further information on these engagement activities will be published on the website and social media.  Please email the team at localdevplan@cne-siar.gov.uk if you would like to find out more, be added to our mailing list or be kept updated on the process.

How to get involved

During the Evidence Gathering and Plan Preparation stages there are opportunities for members of the public and stakeholders to get involved and influence the final Local Development Plan.

CNES would like as many people and organisations to be involved with the new Local Development Plan as possible.  The Development Plan Scheme sets out details of who we will consult and methods of engagement at each stage of the plan preparation.

Call for Ideas

As part of the preparation of a new Local Development Plan, we are seeking your views on what is important to you, what’s good or bad about the Outer Hebrides and your local area/ place and how you would like to see the islands developed in the next 10-20 years.  Your comments should be related to development and land use.  The following is an example of topics that we can take into account, although it should be noted that this list is not exhaustive.

• Climate change and Nature
• Biodiversity
• Your local Community (open space, land and buildings)
• Green space (playgrounds, food growing areas)
• Culture and built heritage
• Flooding and coastal erosion
• Travel
• Regeneration of vacant land or buildings
• Housing
• Employment, business and industry
• Infrastructure

Or other land use or development matter

You can submit your comments using the online form

Alternatively, you can complete the Place Standard Tool.  If you have already completed the Place Standard Tool as part of the Outer Hebrides Community Planning Partnership (OHCPP) consultation, you do not need to complete it again.

Disabled People

We are also interested in hearing about the particular issues facing disabled people in relation to the places they live, work and visit.  Please submit your comments using the online form  

Children and Young People

We are interested in hearing from children and young people (under the age of 25) and have a separate place standard tool for this age group.  If you have already completed the place standard tool at school as part of the OHCPP consultation you do not have to complete it again. 

Self Build Register

Regional Spatial Strategy 

The Comhairle has published its indicative Regional Spatial Strategy for the Outer Hebrides and North West Scotland Region in November 2022. This will be developed further as part of the new LDP.