Decision Maker: Marr Area Committee

Outcome: Approve

Is Key Decision?: No

Is Callable In?: No

Date of Decision: April 15, 2025

Purpose: The report sets out and seeks consideration of the Evidence Report prior to the submission of said report for Gatecheck by the Scottish Government Division for Planning and Environmental Appeals (DPEA). The Evidence Report is a collection of all the information that must be considered before the Council can embark on the preparation of the Proposed Local Development Plan. The purpose of the evidence collected is to inform the plan making process, and to provide a baseline from which planning authorities can assess where development should take place in their areas.

Content: To provide the following comments:   1.     To express concerns about the ‘postcode lottery’ methodology of defining rural areas. 2.     Need to be clear that legislation needs to change to allow upfront collection of development obligations to deliver an infrastructure first approach. 3.     Welcomed the indication that there may be opportunities to develop policy that departed from NPF4 where this was necessary to reflect local circumstances. 4.     A long-term plan for public infrastructure was needed so that developers could come in behind to build houses in suitable locations accordingly.