Local Development Plan 2 (LDP 2) - Updates and Consultations

LDP 2 - AN INVITATION TO PREPARE LOCAL PLACE PLANS

If you are a community body and are considering preparing a Local Place Plan (LPP) we would like to hear from you. Please complete the Local Place Plan Enquiry/Notice of Interest form. 

If you have previously advised the council of your intent you do not have to send a notification although you are still welcome to do so.

Please be assured that by intimating your interest it doesn't in any way commit you to submitting a LPP at a future date. If you subsequently decide not to proceed we would simply ask that you let us know in order for us to maintain up to date records.

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Background

The council has begun the process of preparing a new Local Development Plan for West Lothian - LDP 2.

The new plan will set out planning policies and proposals for the use and development of land across West Lothian for a period of 10 year and it is the council's intention that it should be adopted in 2026.

A timetable for the preparation of LDP 2 has recently been published as part of the Local Development Plan Scheme No.15

When preparing this new LDP it is important that there is the opportunity for it to be informed by the views and aspirations of local communities and for them to have an enhanced role in the decisions that will affect 'their place'.   

The council is fulfilling its obligation under Section 14(2) of the Planning (Scotland) Act 2019 to invite all community councils and other community-controlled bodies to consider submitting a LPP.

A LPP is a new innovation in the development plan process and a new type of community-led plan which can identify issues, gather ideas and express aspirations for the future development and use of land which a community self-defines itself by.

Some examples of the issues a LPP might address include:

•           sites or proposals that support climate change adaptation/renewable energy/flood mitigation;

•           local initiatives for the promotion of active travel and community food growing;

•           sites for housing (including affordable), local employment or tourism/community facilities;

•           improvements to open space, play facilities and green/blue infrastructure;

•           proposals to conserve and improve the natural and built environment; and

•           improvements to town and neighbourhood centres

This list is not exhaustive and it should also not be seen as a constraint on the scope of subject matters which a LPP can address.

It should however be noted that there is no obligation to prepare a LPP and that the decision is wholly for communities to decide themselves. There will continue to be other opportunities for communities and individuals to engage in the preparation of LDP 2 which will be publicised as the plan progresses.

To ensure that LPPs are able to inform the evidence report stage of the LDP they must be submitted for registration not later than 31 March 2024. While Local Place Plans submitted after the evidence report stage will not be able to be reflected in the evidence report they will nevertheless still be a valid consideration in the preparation of the new plan. 

In the event that a key LDP 2 processing date is not realised (and requires to be adjusted) the council will advise whether the required submission date for LPPs is also to be extended as a consequence. Assurance is given that the submission date of 31 March 2024 will not be brought forward (but it may be extended to a later date thereby providing some additional time to submit).

The Scottish Government has published Circular 1/2022: Local Place Plans which provides guidance for both communities and planning authorities on the preparation, submission and registration of LPPs. This is a 'must read' document for anyone contemplating the preparation of a LPP.

The Circular updates guidance contained within an earlier draft How to guide aimed specifically at communities which can be accessed by clicking the link.

The main requirements for LPPs are that they must:

• be prepared by a community council or a community body (as defined by the Community Empowerment (Scotland) Act 2015;

• be 'a proposal as to the development or use of land'; and

• fulfil the legal requirements set out in the relevant legislation (these are explained further within Circular 1/2022)

The council cannot prepare LPPs for or on behalf of communities but can help community groups establish themselves and signpost groups to sources of information and practical help. It can also provide further advice on the process and requirements for LPPs in West Lothian and has published comprehensive information on the LDP 2 section of this website including answers to frequently asked questions and links to other information and resources.

If you have any questions about LPPs please refer in the first instance to the dedicated section of the website. However if you don't find the answer you need you can email the Development Planning and Environment team at wlldp@westlothgian.gov.uk who will be happy to help.

 

 

LDP 2 - PARTICIPATION STATEMENT CONSULTATION

Would you like to help shape the next Local Development Plan?

The process starts now and one of the early challenges for the council is to encourage the public and a wide range of other stakeholders to engage and become involved in the process of preparing a Participation Statement, a document describing when, with whom, and how the council intends to consult on the new plan.

We've created a short survey to gather people's views to find out how they would like to be involved in the process. The survey will ask you just eight questions and should take approximately 10 minutes to complete. Click here to access the survey.

If you would prefer to complete a paper copy of the survey please email, telephone or write to us and we will arrange to have the survey sent to you by post.

You can also request the survey in alternative formats (such as large print or Braille) or in a different language by emailing wlldp@westlothian.gov.uk or telephoning 01506 280000.

Paper copies should be returned to West Lothian Council, Development Planning & Environment, Civic Centre, Howden South Road, Livingston, West Lothian, EH54 6FF.

The closing date for the receipt of all responses is 12 Noon on Tuesday 31 October 2023.

For further information on how the information you provide will be used, please read our Privacy Notice.

__________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Background

The council has begun the process of preparing a new Local Development Plan for West Lothian - LDP 2. 

It will be an important document which will guide growth and help to manage change in our communities for at least the next ten years.

It will identify where development will take place, for example, where new housing, business, and where infrastructure will be required, but also where it will not and it will seek to ensure that these areas are retained and improved and in some instances afforded protection.

In order to make LDP 2 more representative and effective we want to ensure consultation reaches as wide and diverse an audience as possible and we are keen to engage extensively, particularly with social groups such as disabled persons, children and young people and gypsy and traveller communities.

It's important that the LDP recognises the needs and aspirations of all of the people who call West Lothian their home, or their place of work, and that it reflects these in the outcomes it goes on to deliver.

Your views are important to us. They will help the council to better understand how communities want to be involved in the development planning process.

We undertake to review all responses to the survey and we will use them to help finalise our Participation Statement for LDP 2. This will be approved by the West Lothian Council Executive.

More information on the LDP 2 process and programme may be found in the most recent version of Local Development Plan Scheme (DPS No.15).

In the meantime you can keep up to date with the progress being made on Local Development Plan (LDP 2) by regularly visiting the council's website and also by subscribing to our contact mailing list. Click here if you would like to subscribe. Receipt will be acknowledged within 3 working days and you will be provided with a copy of the council's data sharing privacy notice.

LDP 2 - "HOW GOOD IS YOUR PLACE" SURVEYS

Would you like to tell us about "your place" - the place where you live or work in West Lothian?    

One of the first things the Planning (Scotland) Act 2019 requires the council to produce is an 'evidence report'.This is intended to sets out the evidence to be used in drafting the new LDP plan and which will be considered by an independent Reporter later in the development plan process.

At this time the council is seeking to gather information about the many different places in West Lothian where people live and work. We want you tell us what you think about these places, the good and the bad, what works well and what doesn't and also what you would like to see improved over the course of the next 10 years.

We've created a short survey to enable you to provide this information to us. Click here to access the main survey (for adults).

We are particularly keen to hear from all age groups of our communities and so we are inviting children (under the age of 12) and young people (under the age of 18) to complete adapted versions of the main survey. Click here for the Children's survey and here for the Young Persons survey.

We are also mindful that places can present particular issues for disabled persons and those with a mental health condition and we've provided a bespoke survey to help us better understand the issues facing disabled persons in relation to where they live and the places they visit. Click here for the Disabled Persons survey.

The questions are based on Public Health Scotland's Place Standard Tool and has proven to be an effective way to help people think about the physical aspects of a place (for example its buildings, spaces and transport links) as well as the social aspects (such as how safe does the place feel).

If you would like more information about the Place Standard Tool you can click here to watch a short video.

The more people that take part in these surveys, the more complete and representative the results will be so please feel free to share this information with family, friends and work colleagues. Anyone living or working in West Lothian can complete the surveys!

This survey will ask you a series of questions and ask you to rate your chosen place against fourteen themes using a scale of 1 to 7 (with 1 being poor and 7 being the best). They should take approximately 15 minutes to complete.

After we have received responses we will plot the survey results on a diagram (similar to the one below). Points closest to centre of the circle will indicate themes in the place that are in need of improvement while points towards the edge of the circle will identify themes where the place is performing better.

If you would prefer to complete a paper copy of these surveys please email, telephone or write to us and we will arrange to have the survey sent to you by post.

You can also request the surveys in alternative formats (such as large print or Braille) or in a different language by emailing wlldp@westlothian.gov.uk or telephoning 01506 280000.

Paper copies shoud be returned to West Lothian Council, Development Planning & Environment, Civic Centre, Howden South Road, Livingston, West Lothian, EH54 6FF.

The closing date for the receipt of all responses is 12 Noon on Tuesday 31 October 2023.

For further information on how the information you provide will be used, please read our Privacy Notice.

_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Background

The council has begun the process of preparing a new Local Development Plan for West Lothian - LDP 2.  

It will be an important document which will guide growth and help to manage change in our communities for at least the next ten years.

It will identify where development will take place, for example, where new housing, business, and where infrastructure will be required, but also where it will not and it will seek to ensure that these areas are retained and improved and in some instances afforded protection.

In order to make LDP 2 more representative and effective we want to ensure consultation reaches as wide and diverse an audience as possible. It's therefore particularly  important that it recognises the needs and aspirations of all of the people who call West Lothian their home, or their place of work, and that it reflects these in the outcomes it goes on to deliver.

Your views are important to us. They will help the council to better understand what communities feel is good in their town, village or neighbourhood, and what could be improved.

Understanding what is good about a place now, and what could be better, is the starting point for making better decisions and more effectively targeting resources where they are needed. It's in everyone's interest to think about how we can make our places more sustainable, for both people and the environment.

We undertake to review all responses to the surveys and we will publish a consultation feedback report at a future date.

More information on the LDP 2 process and programme may be found in the most recent version of Local Development Plan Scheme (DPS No.15).

In the meantime you can keep up to date with the progress being made on Local Development Plan (LDP 2) by regularly visiting the council's website and also by subscribing to our contact mailing list. Click here if you would like to subscribe. Receipt will be acknowledged within 3 working days and you will be provided with a copy of the council's data sharing privacy notice.

LDP 2 - BUSINESSES & ORGANISATIONS SURVEY

Would you like to help shape the next Local Development Plan?

We recogise that there are many businesses and organisations that operate within West Lothian and it's therefore important that they also have the opportunity to contribute their views on the evidence gathering which is being undertaken at this time by completing the Businesses and Organisations survey. 

Click here to access the survey.

If you would prefer to complete a paper copy of the survey please email, telephone or write to us and we will arrange to have the survey sent to you by post.

You can also request the survey in alternative formats (such as large print or Braille) or in a different language by emailing wlldp@westlothian.gov.uk or telephoning 01506 280000.

Paper copies should be returned to West Lothian Council, Development Planning & Environment, Civic Centre, Howden South Road, Livingston, West Lothian, EH54 6FF.

The closing date for the receipt of all responses is 12 Noon on Tuesday 31 October 2023.

For further information on how the information you provide will be used, please read our Privacy Notice.

_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Background

The council has begun the process of preparing a new Local Development Plan for West Lothian - LDP 2. 

It will be an important document which will guide growth and help to manage change in our communities for at least the next ten years.

It will identify where development will take place, for example, where new housing, business, and where infrastructure will be required, but also where it will not and it will seek to ensure that these areas are retained and improved and in some instances afforded protection.

We've created a short survey to engage with people who are part of the business community or representative of other community organisations or the third sector in order to find out what they consider would be appropriate for the council to consider as part of its evidence gathering process. The survey will ask you eighteen questions and should take approximately 7 minutes to complete. 

Your views are important to us. We undertake to review all responses to the survey and we will use them to help finalise our Evidence Report for LDP 2. This will be approved by the West Lothian Council Executive.

More information on the LDP 2 process and programme may be found in the most recent version of Local Development Plan Scheme (DPS No.15).

In the meantime you can keep up to date with the progress being made on Local Development Plan (LDP 2) by regularly visiting the council's website and also by subscribing to our contact mailing list. Click here if you would like to subscribe. Receipt will be acknowledged within 3 working days and you will be provided with a copy of the council's data sharing privacy notice.

We Need to Talk About LDP 2 - The Next West Lothian Local Development Plan

Work is currently underway to produce the next West Lothian Local Development Plan, LDP 2, and part of the initial engagement with local communities will be a series of 'drop-in' events hosted by the Development Planning and Environment team in ten West Lothian towns during the month of October.

Previously, the council has engaged with communities when it has had the outline of a draft plan to show. However the new development plan process requires public engagement to begin earlier.

At this time we are very much in "listening mode" and the purpose of the planned events is to meet and have informal conversations with local people, to hear first-hand about the issues they think the new plan should be addressing/prioritising, record what they tell us and be a contact point where anyone visiting can find out more about the LDP process.

The list of the dates and venues is set out below with events starting at 3pm and finishing at 7pm.

We hope you will join the conversations!