Council to examine revised Local Development Plan

The Proposed Local Development Plan (LDP) will now go to the next stage following a nine month consultation process.

The Plan sets out a land-use strategy within the authority’s area which will be used to determine planning applications.

A total of 29 issues were identified by the council during the process. The Reporters appointed by the Scottish Government made a number of recommendations and observations on these.

In general The Reporters agreed that the council’s approach to its housing strategy - both private and affordable was appropriate, reasonable and justified with a number of sites being released for housing. However The Reporters removed three of these and added 14 others- which they said would result in a minimal change to the overall amount of potential housing.

Councillor Billy Hendry, Depute Leader of the council, said: “The LDP is a vital document and crucial to the environment, economy and aspirations of East Dunbartonshire - providing opportunities, as well as guidance and protection.

“Once adopted, East Dunbartonshire’s LDP will guide the future use of land, set out proposals for development - including new housing sites, which we are duty-bound to identify - and provide the framework for dealing with planning applications.

“Whilst the Reporters generally support the approach we are taking, it’s extremely disappointing that they have released an additional 14 sites - primarily from the greenbelt - for housing.

“We will now study the detail around the Reporters’ decisions regarding housing - particularly as regards the release of additional sites - prior to submitting our proposed LDP.

Councillor Hendry went on to say that a delicate balance needed to be struck between development and protecting the environment.

The council now has three months to consider the examination report and submit a proposed LDP for adoption to the Scottish Government.

Officers are currently preparing a detailed report which will be brought before a full council meeting.