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The Vision

The aim of the Local Plan is:

To work towards sustainable development in Clackmannanshire through a local land use framework that facilitates positive social and economic development whilst maintaining and enhancing environmental quality

The Clackmannanshire Local Plan comprises one of the two components of the statutory Development Plan for Clackmannanshire. The Structure Plan sets out the broad longterm strategy for sustainable development of the Clackmannanshire and Stirling area, while the Local Plan sets out the specific planning policy advice and guidance relating to Clackmannanshire, in conformity with the Structure Plan. This Local Plan amplifies the Structure Plan strategy into more detailed and site specific guidance. It also brings together all Clackmannanshire Council’s policies and proposals for the use of land and other development into one document.

The Town and Country Planning (Scotland) Act 1997 (section 25) requires that decisions on planning applications should be made in accordance with the development plan unless material considerations indicate otherwise. The provisions of the Local Plan are therefore of central importance in the determination of applications for planning permission.

SPP 1 (the Planning System) sets out the following three general objectives for development plans. These are strongly adhered to in the Clackmannanshire Local Plan:

• To set the land use framework for promoting economic development
• To encourage economic, social and environmental regeneration
• To maintain and enhance the quality of the natural heritage and built environment.

The Local Plan vision is shown in Figure 1 below. The aims and objectives underlying the vision reflect the specific needs and aspirations of the people of Clackmannanshire, while giving weight to government guidance on the planning system. The Local Plan vision is focused on promoting positive development in jobs, homes and community infrastructure, within the context of caring for the environment and improving accessibility and promoting technology. Within each of these areas, there are a number of aims and objectives that the Plan seeks to achieve. The individual policies and proposals contribute to the achievement of these aims. These aims and objectives are set out below.

Figure 1:

Linking the Vision - Accessibility and Technology

At the core of the Plan’s Vision are accessibility and technology.

Accessibility is fundamental to the achievement of the Plan’s key objectives. A modern and inclusive society is dependent upon the ability of individuals to access jobs, shopping, services and facilities, and housing as easily and conveniently as possible. An important aspect of sustainable development is that this access should be achievable at the least practical cost to the environment. The Plan therefore focuses on the benefits of ensuring that jobs and facilities are located close to homes and that the need for long journeys is minimised. In this way, increased use of public transport and cycling can be achieved, walking can be encouraged for shorter journeys and reliance on the private car can be reduced.

Technology underlies some of the main changes which will take place during the Local Plan period. The rapid pace of technological advance is likely to lead to a significant shift in the way people communicate, work, shop and use services. It is becoming more common to work from home for many people and there is a continued rise in the use of the internet for shopping, services, entertainment and information. The trend towards new digital formats will increase accessibility to employment and services, particularly for those presently disadvantaged by the lack of a car, remoteness from main centres or disabilities.

The Plan seeks to work towards sustainable development through a strategy of increasing accessibility and supporting and managing technological change. These central goals will underpin the Local Plan’s vision and the aims and objectives which contribute to it.