LDP Evidence Report Sustainable Transport

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 Sustainable Transport Topic Paper.

This topic paper is structured in response to National Planning Framework (NPF) 4 Policy 13. The policy intent of NPF4 Policy 13 is to encourage, promote and facilitate developments that prioritise walking, wheeling, cycling and public transport for everyday travel and reduce the need to travel unsustainably.

NPF4 identifies outcomes to support Policy 13, whereby investment in transport infrastructure supports connectivity and reflects place-based approaches and local living. This should provide more, better, safer and more inclusive active and sustainable travel opportunities, and additionally should direct developments in locations which support sustainable travel.

LDPs should prioritise locations for future development that can be accessed by sustainable modes. The spatial strategy should reflect the sustainable travel hierarchy and sustainable investment hierarchy by making best use of existing infrastructure and services. LDPs should promote a place-based approach to consider how to reduce car-dominance. Plans should be informed by evidence of the area’s transport infrastructure capacity, and an appraisal of the spatial strategy on the transport network.

This topic paper explores the evidence of relevance to Sustainable Transport within Aberdeenshire and presents the baseline findings and trends of numerous transport datasets relating to vehicular traffic, public transport and active travel and provides an understanding of our context, challenges and areas where improvements are required, particularly those that are most related to the built environment, where planning policy within the LDP has most potential to influence positive change. 

It is likely that this paper will be of particular interest to communities across Aberdeenshire, and developers and landowners who may wish to consider development.

If there are matters that you do not agree with relating to the information that we have looked at, 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 2025. Otherwise comments that you may make to this paper will be analysed and where possible resolution sought before consideration by Aberdeenshire Council, probably in January 2025.

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 SUBMISSIONS MADE, THEY WILL BECOME PART OF THE PUBLIC RECORD. ALL UNRESOLVED DISPUTES WILL BE PUBLISHED ON THE INTERNET AS PART OF THE GATECHECK EXAMINATION.