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How to use the Local Plan

The Importance of the Local Plan

Section 25 of the Town and Country Planning (Scotland) Act 1997 requires that planning decisions be made in accordance with the development plan unless material considerations indicate otherwise.

The Policies

The Local Plan policies set out the planning authority’s view regarding particular types of development. Policies are statements of attitudes or intentions towards existing or postulated situations which require action. They relate to physical land use development, including the management of traffic and the improvement of the environment and policies for development control. They will be:

  • related to development across the whole Plan area - easily identifiable in the text through their bold edging and shading, and accompanied by a brief background and justification. They may also be used to determine whether any conditions should be applied to a planning consent.
  • specific to a particular site shown on the maps and accompanied by further information in the Schedule of Sites.

The Local Plan policies should be read in conjunction with those in the Structure Plan.

The Proposals

The Local Plan proposals identify and safeguard specific areas where development or other change is proposed. Proposals are intended actions of some significance to the plan area which the Council is confident will be implemented within about five years of the adoption of the Plan. They relate to physical land use development, the management of traffic or the improvement of the environment. Proposals will normally represent opportunities for private sector development, areas of possible policy change or locations where the Council or another body have programmed development within the Plan period.

The Proposals Maps

The maps identify policies and proposals, indicating sites where new development and other proposals are located and the extent of policy coverage, including areas where certain types of development will not be permitted (areas of constraint).

Development Guidelines

For all sites that are identified on the Proposals Maps, there are accompanying “Development Guidelines” in the Local Plan. These Guidelines provide specific advice on the way in which the site should be developed and what the Council will expect in terms of features such as landscaping or building design. The Guidelines will be used to make decisions on planning applications for these sites. Some Guidelines state that development will be subject to a Development Brief. These Briefs and any others as required are prepared to provide more detailed development criteria.

Cross Referencing

The Local Plan provides:

  • cross referencing of Local Plan policies to relevant policies in the Structure Plan

These will allow users to be aware of policies which may be of importance.

Where appropriate web links are provided to other areas within the Development Plan and to external websites. All external links, which will take you away from this online version of the Development Plan, are marked with external link symbol

Planning Guidance

This Local Plan, along with the Structure Plan, provides policies to achieve the Council’s vision for the area. Many of the Local Plan policies translate government policies and guidance. This guidance is provided in the form of National Planning Policy Guidelines, Scottish Planning Policies (NPPGs & SPPs) and Planning Advice Notes (PANs). Local Plans must take account of this advice.

Performance Indicators

It is intended that the Development Plan is monitored annually, against defined performance indicators. This will help identify where achievement is high or low, and if necessary action can be taken. The Structure Plan includes a range of sustainability indicators and these are also relevant for the Local Plan.

Supplementary Advice Notes

Supplementary Advice Notes (SANs) set out guidance supplementary to the information contained in the Local Plan for some specific planning issues. The SANs are not part of the Local Plan but will also be used by the Council in determining planning applications. A list of all current and planned SANs is shown below. SANs 1 - 11 may be revised as part of the finalised Local Plan.

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Contact information

For further information about this page please contact:

Development Planning
Kilncraigs, Greenside Street, Alloa, FK10 1EB
Tel: 01259 450000 Fax: 01259 727453
Email:

Or use the on-line contact form.