Key planning document to be considered after recess

The next proposed Perth and Kinross Local Development Plan (LDP2) will now not be considered by councillors until well after the summer recess.

The Scottish Government’s Planning and Environmental Appeals Division (DPEA) has only just published its examination report on the next TAYplan Proposed Strategic Development Plan following six months of consideration.

It emerged in September last year the DPEA had been hampered in its consideration of the document , which sets out land use strategy across Tayside, because of“staff illness and retirements”.

A Scottish Government spokesperson said the TAYplan report would be published by March 8 this year and it has, indeed, been published online.

But a PKC spokesperson recently confirmed the delay will now mean the proposed LDP2, which should set out land use strategy in greater detail and will supersede the approved 2014 version, will not be considered until well into July.

She said:“Because the LDP must be consistent with TAYplan, it was not possible to publish the council’s proposed LDP before the TAYplan examination.

“It was agreed by the council’s enterprise and infrastructure committee at its meeting on November 9 that the development plan scheme should be updated to take account of the dates for the TAYplan examination.

“A revision of the council’s LDP timetable was also approved to ensure that a replacement LDP would still be adopted within a five year timescale, with the proposed plan being considered by full council after the summer recess. The TAYplan examination report is available on the DPEA website, which gives the council certainty to proceed with the next stage of the LDP.”