Consultation on the terms of the Development Plan Scheme 2023

The Local Development Plan is a key document that Aberdeenshire Council must prepare to guide and direct built development within Aberdeenshire. This directs what planning applications must follow to achieve consent, unless there are significant reasons why a "departure" from the plan can be justified.

Aberdeenshire Council adopted the Local Development Plan 2023 on 13 January 2023. With delivery of that plan now primarily the responsibility of colleagues in our Development Management, and Planning Information and Delivery teams, work will soon start on the production of the next Local Development Plan 2028.

The Development Plan Scheme is a document published annually to set out the programme for the production of the Local Development Plan. Following the enactment of the Planning (Scotland) Act 2019, there is a requirement to consult on the proposed Development Plan Scheme to ensure there is a consensus on how the next plan is to be prepared.

Also following on from the Planning (Scotland) Act 2019 there have been significant and radical changes to the way in which we are required to prepare Local Development Plans. Processes used previously may not now be appropriate for the Local Development Plan 2028. We would encourage you to refer to the draft Development Plan Scheme 2023 document for an explanation of the changes that the new Act is introducing to inform your response to this questionnaire.