Final call for Local Development Plan land and ideas submissions

Landowners and communities who wish to submit their ideas or have their sites considered for development as part of the review of Orkney’s Local Development Plan have until the end of the month to submit their details.

The Local Development Plan is a land use strategy document that will detail areas within Orkney that require to be protected for their value and also identifies areas which may be suitable for new development which will meet the social, economic and housing needs of the community.  

A review of the current document is underway, with a proposed plan to be published next year and a final plan in 2027, following extensive consultation.

Any submissions for proposed development sites need to be accompanied by a scaled location plan, contact details, development types and why, details of infrastructure on or near the land, existing planning features such as historic assets, water courses/drainage, vegetation and biodiversity. 

Landowners and developers whose land was included in the previous plan are also required to resubmit their land, providing the information as noted above.  Due to the passage of time and the potential for details to have changed, resubmissions will be considered following the same criteria as if a new submission.

Once submitted this land and ideas is reviewed against the policies of National Planning Framework 4, and any early environmental assessments will be carried in line with the Strategic Environmental Assessment processes. 

Whilst all land submissions will be considered, the team are particularly looking for land which is in a sustainable location, close to services and facilities such as schools, employment, shops and community halls.

All comments and land submissions will be fully assessed by the Development and Marine Planning Team and reported in full to elected members. They will also be reported in full to the Scottish Government through the Evidence Report and/or the Final Examination — all of which is in the public domain, and available for inspection. 

Councillor Kristopher Leask is Chair of the Council’s Development and Infrastructure Committee.  He said: “The review of Orkney’s Local Development Plan will help to shape the future of Orkney’s towns, villages and rural areas, including where development should and shouldn’t happen.

“The Council’s Development and Marine Planning Team are currently in the evidence gathering stage of the process and a variety of opportunities are available for the public, key stakeholders, and landowners to engage with the review process and provide their early ideas and thoughts for the future of their local area - and Orkney as a whole.

“A solid understanding of the availability of land within Orkney is a key cornerstone of this process.

“If any landowners have land which they would wish to be considered in the process they should contact the team before the end of September.”

Submissions can be made by visiting  Review of Local Development Plan (orkney.gov.uk) or email submissions sent to devplan@orkney.gov.uk