Scottish Government reports back positively on the council’s development strategy

Council agrees to move forward with the adoption process

The Argyll and Bute Local Development Plan has been welcomed by the Scottish Government, with their reporters unit giving the council’s planning service positive feedback on the identified development land. Members were updated on the reporter’s positive findings at today’s (Thursday 22nd January) council meeting and agreed to move forward with the statutory adoption process, which will see the plan becoming official later this year.

This is the key document for development in Argyll and Bute over the next five years, being the main consideration in determining planning applications and will support the council’s economic development service as it works to unlock the area’s huge potential. With over 4,500 potential housing units identified, bringing the total housing land supply in Argyll and Bute to almost 8,500 units, as well as 90 hectares of new industrial and business land, the plan is key to economic growth.

The reporter has specifically highlighted:

• New housing, business and industrial developments in Lochgilphead
• The importance of the Crinan Canal to the economy of Mid-Argyll
• A potential business development site around Oban Airport (This will be taken forward as part of the council’s Lorn Arc investment programme)
• Housing at Sandbank and Strachur
• Green belt release areas around Helensburgh and Cardross

Councillor David Kinniburgh, policy lead for planning, said of the positive feedback: ‘’We are delighted that our plan has been so positively received by the Scottish Government and are looking forward to moving forward to the official adoption stage. This is the culmination of five years of hard work from our statutory plans team. The council has talked a lot recently about the opportunities for our economy, to develop business and to grow our population, and this strategy clearly identifies the potential growth areas, showing that ours is indeed an area of huge development potential.

‘’Our planning practices have been commended recently by Alex Neil MSP, the Cabinet Secretary for Communities, who praised our open for business approach and welcomed the speed with which we handle planning applications.

‘’We have solid practices in place and now, with the adoption of the LDP, a robust policy framework. The overall focus of the council’s planning service is on making things happen, supporting sustainable economic growth and regeneration.’’

As part of the process the council will be producing a number of different LDP brochures in the coming weeks, with more details to follow