Dumfries and Galloway Council are preparing a new Local Development Plan. This single plan will cover the whole of the region and will replace the current Structure Plan and four Local Plans. The Local Development Plan will set out the vision for how our region should develop and will form the framework for making decisions on planning applications.

Development Plan Scheme 2nd Edition, March 2010

A  Development Plan Scheme (DPS) [3Mb] has been prepared which sets out:

• Why we are preparing a new Local Development Plan and what this Plan will contain;
• A timetable showing each key stage of the preparation of the new Plan; and
• A statement explaining how and when individuals, communities and organisations can get involved in making the new plan.

The DPS will continue to be updated annually: giving regular information on the progress and content of the Local Development Plan.

Feedback is invited, especially on the suggested consultation methods.  Let us know your thoughts by completing the online Development Plan Scheme - Feedback Form or you can print out this form  DPS feedback form [299kb] and return by post . Please contact us if you would like any of our information in an alternative format or would like help understanding our information or completing our form.

Call for Sites and Comments

As outlined in the Development Plan Scheme, the "Call for Sites and Comments" stage provides the first opportunity to submit details of sites to be considered for inclusion in the new LDP. It can also be used to suggest important issues to be considered during the preparation of the Plan and to comment on existing policies and proposals. Sites and comments submitted under the "Call for Sites and Comments" will help to inform the Main Issues Report.

To submit potential sites and/or comments please complete the Call for Sites and Comments form which is available in  PDF Format [959kb] and  Word Format [106kb]. Paper copies can be obtained from all Area Planning Offices, Council Customer Service Centres, Libraries or from the Local Development Plan Co-ordinator, at the address below.

Closing date for submissions is Friday 4 June 2010.

Please note that:

1. the submission of a site guarantees only that consideration will be given as to whether it should or should not be included (along with other sites) in Dumfries and Galloway's new Local Development Plan; and
2. in relation to potential housing sites, the Council is required to undertake a Housing Needs and Demand Assessment (HNDA) which will define Housing Market Areas (HMA) in Dumfries and Galloway; it will also determine how much new housing is needed in each HMA. The HNDA findings will therefore be an important consideration when assessing sites. The study will be finalised in October 2009.