Views sought on Local Development Plan

Clackmannanshire Council is seeking views on the first stage of the review of its Local Development Plan (LDP).

The main issues report will be subject of consultion for eight weeks, between January 10 and March 6.

It focuses on key issues that have changed since the last LDP and contains one or more alternative sets of proposals with a preferred option identified.

The LDP must be prepared in the context of national and local strategies and policies and will support their implementation.

It’s proposed to incorporate sustainable development, access and movement, developer contributions and placemaking into four ‘core policies’, and add a new infrastructure chapter which will include policies on transport and movement, tourism, utilities, renewable energy, minerals, consultation zones and waste.

The housing section proposes fewer policies, focussing on house type, size and tenure, including affordable and particular needs housing.

Clacks council is also framing a starategy for school building provision.

Where new school campuses are proposed this may lead to a requirement for developer contributions from new developments.

New schools could provide impetus for currently identified housing sites which are constrained by a lack of school capacity, and potentially, opportunities for future long term development areas to be identified. Stirling and Clackmannanshire City Region Deal is reflected in the main issues report, with emphasis on attracting employment to the area, and there is also a focus on town centres, and proposals to introduce a policy to specifically consider tourism and tourism developments.

Countryside policies will be reviewed and some changes are proposed to the special landscape area boundaries.

Interim convener of the place committee Donald Balsillie said: “This consultation is an important first step in getting the views of our communities to allow the LDP to be reviewed and updated. It provides an opportunity to update the plan to reflect the current and future needs of Clackmannanshire, so that we can ensure we are growing in a dynamic and sustainable way. I’d encourage everyone to take part in the consultation in January.”

Consultation will include drop-in sessions in each of the main settlements and presentations to community councils.

Drop-in sessions – Alva Library/CAP, Monday, January 13, 3-6pm; Dumyat Centre, Menstrie, Tuesday, January 14, 3-7pm; Dollar, venue TBC, Monday, January 20, time to be confirmed; Alloa Town Hall, Tuesday, January 28, 3-7pm; Tullibody Civic Centre, Tuesday, January 28, 3-7pm; Coronation Hall, Muckhart, Wednesday, January 29, 3-7pm; Sauchie Hall, Monday, February 10, 3-7pm; Ben Cleuch Centre, Tillicoultry, Tuesday, February 11, 3-7pm; Clackmannan Town Hall, Wednesday, February 19, 3-7pm.