Emerging Local Development Plan (LDP3)

Development Plan Scheme 

The Development Plan Scheme 2024 (PDF, 3 MB) sets out our programme for preparing LDP3. Our Development Plan Scheme is reviewed at least every year to provide an up-to-date picture of how preparation of the Plan is progressing. 

As well as the timetable for preparing the new Local Development Plan, the Development Plan Scheme provides details on engagement opportunities and consultation methods throughout the Plan preparation process.

The last Development Plan Scheme update was in October 2024.

What is a Local Development Plan (LDP)?

LDPs are intended to be place-based documents, which identify where new development should take place, and where it should not.  They can set out the ambitions and priorities for the future development of the area which they cover (the Plan Area) via a spatial strategy and proposals maps.  LDPs are expected to have more of an emphasis on maps, development briefs and masterplans. 

The Planning (Scotland) Act 2019 (the Act) introduced changes to the way in which Development Planning is carried out, including the introduction of National Planning Framework 4 (NPF4) as part of the Statutory Development Plan. This means that it now forms part of the Development Plan for the Perth and Kinross Area alongside our LDP and must be taken into account in the preparation of our LDP3 and in decision-making on planning applications. 

The Act also introduced the need for greater up-front engagement with communities in the preparation of LDPs, and the introduction of Local Place Plans.

Please note that not all of the changes in legislation are currently in force and further regulations and guidance continue to be published by the Scottish Government. These will influence the way we present evidence and consult with communities. Further information about changes to the planning system in Scotland can be found on the Scottish Government's Reforming the Planning System webpage.

What are the key stages in preparing LDP3? 

The key stages in the preparation process for our new LDP3 and what they involve are as follows: 

Evidence Report Preparation and Gate Check

The purpose of an Evidence Report is to provide the planning authority's interpretation of the evidence it has gathered and the likely implications of that evidence for the preparation of their LDP.  The Report provides a summary of what the evidence means for the plan, rather than contain all the detail of evidence collected.  An Evidence Report should contain sufficient information to enable a planning authority to move onto the next stage and prepare their LDP.

Evidence Reports are required to be submitted to the Scottish Government's Planning and Environmental Appeals Division (DPEA) for a 'Gate Check' process.  A 'Reporter' appointed on behalf of the Scottish Ministers will then assess if an Evidence Report contains sufficient information to let the planning authority prepare their LDP. 

In preparing our LDP3 Evidence Report Perth and Kinross Council undertook a Big Place Conversation exercise, and prepared and consulted on a suite of Topic Papers to engage with our communities and other key stakeholders on key issues to help shape the development of the new LDP. 

We submitted our LDP3 Evidence Report to the DPEA on 27 March 2025.  A Reporter has now been assigned to carry out the assessment.  Progress on the Report's Gate Check and all associated documents can be viewed on the DPEA's webpages under Case Reference GATE-340-1.

Proposed Plan Preparation

The Proposed Plan will be informed by our Evidence Report and will identify where new development should take place and where it should not.  It will contain a spatial strategy, and any policies or proposals within it will focus on places and locations.  It will also be accompanied by a Delivery Programme, which sets out a list of actions required to deliver each of the Plan's policies and proposals, and a timeline for when they are expected to be delivered and by whom.

Preparation of the Proposed Plan will include various stages, including a 'Call for Sites', further focused place-based discussions, and the undertaking of a number of assessments, including -

• Strategic Environmental Assessment
• Habitats Regulations Appraisal (including Appropriate Assessment)
• Public Sector Equality Duty Assessment
• Fairer Scotland Duty Assessment

These assessments will be published alongside the Proposed Plan for feedback.

To date, we have already carried out the first stage in the Strategic Environmental Assessment (SEA) process for the Plan, which is the Scoping exercise. We produced an LDP3 SEA Scoping Report (PDF, 3 MB) with Appendices (PDF, 2 MB), which were submitted to the 3 Consultation Authorities (Historic Environment Scotland, Nature Scot, and SEPA) for comments at the end of February 2025.  Comments have now been received on our Scoping Report which we will consider as we move onto the Environmental Assessment of LDP3 stage.

Consultation and Engagement

As part of the Proposed Plan's development, we will continue to work with our local communities and key stakeholders to ensure the Plan's preparation is a collaborative and coordinated process.  Further information and updates regarding any live consultations can be found on our Live Consultation and Engagements page.

Publication of Proposed LDP3 and Period for Representations

Once we have prepared our Proposed LDP3 and it has been approved by Members we will publish it along with any relevant assessments for a 12 week period for representations.  Further information about the time period when representations can be made to the Council, and instructions as to how they can be made will be provided on our LDP3 webpages at that time.  

Examination of Proposed LDP3

Representations received on the Proposed LDP3, as well as the Council's response to these will be reviewed by an Independent Reporter from the DPEA as part of an Examination process.  Following an Examination, the Reporter will make recommendations as to which changes should be made to the Proposed Plan.  The Council is largely bound by the Reporter's recommendations, and the Proposed Plan must be amended in line with them, unless there is a justifiable reason for not accepting some of them.

Adoption of LDP3

Once amendments have been made to the Proposed Plan, following the Reporter's recommendations, LDP3 will require to be adopted by the Council.  Following on from this LDP3 will replace the current Adopted LDP2.

How do I get involved?

Please email the team at DevelopmentPlan@pkc.gov.uk if you would like to find out more or be kept updated about the next steps of the Local Development Plan.