LDP Evidence Report Digital Infrastructure Topic paper

This survey has now closed, 

The finalised Topic paper and  the results of the consultation can be seen under the Topic Paper banner

This survey has been prepared to assist with the formulation of the Aberdeenshire Local Development Plan Evidence Report.

Our analysis of the issues raised in consultation are included in an Issues and Actions paper within the "Documents" tab.

This questionnaire focuses on questions associated with the Digital Infrastructure Topic Paper (available in the Documents tab to the right).

Digital Infrastructure, which refers to the technologies that provide the foundation for society’s information technology and operations, is one of the most important services in modern society. It underpins the necessary digital, cultural and social infrastructures to develop places where people want to live, work and visit. Digital networks have been identified as the enabling infrastructure which drives economic growth and productivity. The Scottish Government promotes the importance of Digital Infrastructure due to the central role digital connectivity plays in unlocking the potential of our places and the economy and in opening up more remote parts of Scotland for investment. The National Planning Framework 4 (NPF4) aims to digitally connect all locations of Scotland and the Scottish Government is aiming to help every property in Scotland get access to superfast broadband (30mbps). However, this is not always possible due to a variety of factors such as landscape-setting, cost, and demand. The majority of the residents in Aberdeenshire rely on digital connectivity to work, play, education, entertainment and shopping. 

Local Development Plans are required to consider the infrastructure of the district (including communication systems), and how that infrastructure is used. 

This topic paper presents an analysis of the evidence surrounding the digital communications within Aberdeenshire. It identifies what information has been collected and assessed, and the relevance of that information to the Local Development Plan. It draws conclusions on where consideration of proposed expansion of digital infrastructure will be necessary by identifying settlements where these constraints may have an influence on whether the surroundings may not be suitable for development. 

It is likely that this paper will be of particular interest to communities with active economic investment within the area, such as Mobile Network Operators (MNOs), Wireless Infrastructure Providers (WIPs), developers, and landowners who may wish to consider development. 

If there are matters that you do not agree with, then these are termed as “disputes”. While most disputes made will be resolvable by modification of the topic paper, some will persist. If you make a dispute on this paper, and we cannot agree a solution, then the dispute will be referred to a Reporter in the Scottish Government Directorate of Planning and Environmental Appeals in the Spring of 2024. 

Please think carefully about registering a dispute, as you may be asked to provide more information to support your position at the Gatecheck Examination. 

It will require you to be a registered user and may ask for some personal details to assist us with understanding the points that you are making. Please see our Privacy Statement for more information. 

WHILE WE DO NOT INTEND TO PUBLISH THE INDIVIDUAL SUBMISSION MADE, THEY WILL BECOME PART OF THE PUBLIC RECORD. ALL UNRESOLVED DISPUTES WILL BE PUBLISHED ON THE INTERNET AS PART OF THE GATECHECK EXAMINATION.