Local and statutory development plans

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Local and statutory development plans

Edinburgh & the Lothians Structure Plan 2015

The Edinburgh and the Lothians Structure Plan 2015 sets out the long-term vision for the development of land in Edinburgh and the Lothians. The structure plan provides the broad framework for local plans, which contain more detailed and site specific policies. Local plans are required by law to conform to the structure plan. The structure plan and the local plan together comprise the statutory development plan for West Lothian which is the basis for determining all planning applications. The structure plan therefore provides the foundation for all decisions regarding future development in Edinburgh and the Lothians. The structure plan has been prepared by the City of Edinburgh Council, East Lothian Council, Midlothian Council and West Lothian Council. It was approved by Scottish Ministers on the 17 June 2004.

The Structure Plan can be viewed at www.elsp.gov.uk (new window)

Strategic Development Plan

The Edinburgh and South East Scotland Strategic Development Plan Authority (SESplan), which was designated by Scottish Ministers on 25 June 2008 comprises City of Edinburgh, East Lothian, Midlothian, Fife, Scottish Borders and West Lothian Councils. The key role of SESplan is to prepare and maintain an up to date strategic development plan (SDP) for the area. This process will involve engaging key stakeholders and the wider community. The SDP when completed will replace the existing Edinburgh and Lothians Structure Plan, the Fife Structure Plan (in part) and the Scottish Borders Structure Plan. In addition, the individual councils will have to prepare Local Development Plans (LDP) in order to implement the requirements of the new SDP.

The website for the SDP is www.sesplan.gov.uk (new window)

Local Development Plan

Under the terms of emerging legislation from the Scottish Government, the council will be required to prepare a local development plan (LDP) for the area. The LDP will set out development patterns at a local level for West Lothian and will implement the terms of the Strategic Development Plan (SDP).

LOCAL PLAN

The West Lothian Local Plan 2005 provides guidance on the location of development across West Lothian, based on meeting the requirements set by the approved Edinburgh & the Lothians Structure Plan 2015. On adoption, this plan will become the first district wide local plan for West Lothian. This local plan will eventually supersede the existing adopted Area Local Plans covering the Calders, Linlithgow, Livingston, Bathgate and Broxburn. The council considered around 2,500 objections at the Public Local Inquiry which took place btween August 2006 and February 2007. To access all the local plan inquiry documents, please select the Local Plan Document List in the Online Tools section.

Next steps

Following receipt of the reporters' report into the public local inquiry into the local plan in March 2008, the Council Executive approved responses to the reporters' recommendations and pre-adoption modifications to the plan on 16 June 2008. The council then advertised the pre-adoption modifications and responses to reporters' recommendations inviting comments/representations between Monday 7 July and Monday 8 September 2008. The council has received 503 objections to the pre-adoption modifications. The responses to objections to the pre-adoption modifications were approved by the Council Executive Tuesday 11 November. The report and appendices presented to this meeting are attached below under downloadable documents.

The council is now proceeding to adopt the West Lothian Local Plan. The objectors at all stages to the plan and consultees have been written to regarding the Notice of Intention to Adopt the plan on or after 13 January 2009, unless before the plan has been adopted the Scottish Ministers direct that the plan shall not be adopted until further notice or shall not have effect unless approved by them.

Certified copies of the plan together with certified copies of the report of the local plan inquiry and of the council's statements prepared following the consideration of the report, and of the council's statement of the planning authority's decision with respect to each objection containing reasons for the decision, have been deposited at all libraries in West Lothian and all Council Information Services (CIS) offices as well as at County Buildings, Linlithgow and West Lothian House, Livingston all during normal opening hours.

The deposited documents are available for inspection free of charge during normal opening hours. All documents are also listed below.