LDP Evidence Report Natural Places 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.

This questionnaire focuses on questions associated with the Natural Places Topic Paper.

Natural Places, are sites identified, either internationally, nationally, regionally, or locally for either their natural heritage interest or for their landscape value. They are significant environmental, social, and economic assets and their protection and enhancement have wide ranging positive impacts on many other topics. 

Natural Places represent the core important areas for conserving our biodiversity and along with the Biodiversity and Nature Crisis Topic Paper represent a key element in addressing, and reversing, biodiversity decline. 

In addition, Natural Places support our efforts to address the climate and nature crises by protecting natural habitats such as woodlands, peatlands and wetlands, which capture and store carbon, and provide natural solutions to aid water flows and mitigate flood risk. Natural Places also provide attractive places for recreation and play, which in turn benefits public health.

This Topic Paper audits Aberdeenshire's designated Natural Places, identifying those locations where the spatial strategy needs to be carefully considered and ensuring that site selection processes recognise their inherent importance.

It is likely that this paper will be of particular interest to all communities within Aberdeenshire to help understand the rich character and importance of our natural places, and to developers and landowners who may wish to consider development that these areas are unlikely to be favoured for their development proposals.

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 to 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.