Fergus has asked me to respond to the information request you have sent to him. My responses are detailed below :-

1) Written information explaining the reasons for taking the decision to designate the area which included the majority of the Applicant's plot of land as an 'Area of Sensitive Countryside' and what process was undertaken to determine the boundary of the Rural Opportunity Area within the Argyll and Bute Local Plan 2009 which includes part of the Applicant's plot of land; 

The Sensitive Countryside designation in the current Local Plan has been designated on ground where there is not considered general capacity to absorb new development in the open countryside away from existing buildings in terms of landscape impact. The boundaries between sensitive countryside and the more development positive Rural Opportunity Areas (ROAs) were identified through a series of extensive site visits and desk work and is based upon topography (contour levels, landform and gradients etc.); landcover (open hillside, farmland, woodland etc.), development pattern. Areas considered to have a general potential to absorb development in terms of landscape impact were then mapped and became proposed ROAs, and areas without this capacity in the open countryside became Sensitive Countryside. The maps were then presented as part of the Local Plan to Members for approval and subject to public consultation, review and Public Local Inquiry as required.   


2) An indication, where possible, of what the designation of this area of land referred to at 1) above is likely to be in the new Local Plan.

The Local Development Plan (LDP) is currently in the process of being finalised for Member approval. Fergus has seen the site and has assessed it against the current local plan designation of Sensitive Countryside. He is minded to consider redesignating the site as Rural Opportunity Area in the LDP. If this redesignation is proposed then it will need Member approval before the LDP is issued for public consultation. It will then only form part of the adopted LDP if no objections to this change are received or if the Reporter at Public Local Inquiry determines that the site should remain ROA in the LDP.


Hope these comments help.

regards

Adrian Jackson-Stark
Planning Officer - Development Policy
Planning & Regulatory Services,
Argyll & Bute Council.