Planning Service
Development Plan
Current Development Plan
The Development Plan is a statement of the Comhairle’s views with regard to development and land use within the Outer Hebrides area and is formulated after consultation with official bodies and the general public. It provides the policy framework within which planning applications submitted to the Comhairle are assessed.
The statutory Development Plan currently comprises:
-
Western Isles Structure Plan (approved December 2003)
The Structure Plan provides the strategic land use planning framework for sustaining the communities of the Western Isles.
- Western Isles Local Plan (adopted 5 June 2008).
Working within the approved Western Isles Structure Plan, the Local Plan sets out detailed land use policies and proposals to help guide future development and land use change in the islands.
Both documents are currently the main decision making tools in the planning application process.
Local Development Plan
The Comhairle is reviewing the current Development Plan and is in the process of replacing it with a single Local Development Plan (LDP). The LDP which will include a strategic vision and spatial strategy for the area and will provide the local interpretation of national planning guidance.
The Local Development Plan – Proposed Plan has been approved for public consultation – the consultation period will run from 16 September to 10 November 2011.
It should be noted that the Western Isles Structure Plan and Local Plan will remain in force as the area’s statutory development plan until the new Local Development Plan is adopted.
Supplementary Guidance
The current Development Plan is supported by Supplementary Guidance to assist applicants with aspects of detailed planning matters. Statements made in this guidance does not have statutory weight but are likely to be material considerations in determining planning applications.
As part of the review of the current Development Plan, Proposed Statutory Supplementary Guidance has been published for concurrent consultation with the Proposed Plan. The purpose of this Supplementary Guidance is to provide more detail than might normally be included in the Local Development Plan. When linked to the Local Development Plan, this Supplementary Guidance will have statutory status once adopted.National Planning Framework
The Development Plan also takes account of national policy guidance and advice including the National Planning Framework (NPF).
(Extract from National Planning Framework web site)
The National Planning Framework (NPF) is a strategy for the long-term development of Scotland's towns, cities and countryside. It is concerned with how we want Scotland to develop over the next 20 to 25 years and where things need to happen to make that possible. The NPF identifies key strategic infrastructure needs and will allow investment to be directed to ensure that each part of the country can develop to its full potential. Put simply, the NPF is about shaping Scotland's future.
