Local Development Plan
Main Issues Report (MIR)
The approved Main Issues Report sets out our general proposals for policy development and land use within the Scottish Borders.
MIR background papers
The Monitoring Statement, SEA Environmental Report and Technical Notes provide supporting information and context to the MIR.
Forward Planning
Address: Council Headquarters Newtown St Boswells Melrose TD6 0SA
Tel: 01835 825060
Fax: 01835 825071
Development plan scheme
The Development Plan Scheme sets out the programme for preparing and reviewing the LDP.
As part of the changes in the Scottish Planning System, we are required to produce a Local Development Plan (LDP) to replace our existing Local Plan.
Main Issues Report (MIR)
A Main Issues Report has recently been produced to inform the production of the LDP and provide a basis for discussion. The Council gave its approval to the MIR on January 26th 2012, and a twelve week consultation process will now begin to give the public the opportunity to comment on the questions it raises. The consultation period will run from 2nd April to noon on 25th June 2012.
Local Exhibitions
A series of local exhibitions will be held in April/May to provide the public the opportunity to learn more about the MIR. The dates and locations of the nine surgeries are listed below. All the sessions will run from 2pm to 7pm, with planning officers available to answer questions. The exhibitions will also feature information display boards, which can also be viewed online.
- Lauder - 10th April - Public Hall, The Avenue, Lauder (Please note change of venue).
- Hawick - 11th April - Lesser Town Hall, High Street, Hawick.
- Galashiels - 12th April - Council Chamber, Albert Place, Galashiels.
- Peebles - 17th April - Council Chambers, Rosetta Road, Peebles.
- Eyemouth - 18th April - Gunsgreen House, Gunsgreen Quay, Eyemouth.
- Jedburgh - 19th April - Town Hall, Abbey Place, Jedburgh.
- Duns - 24th April - Council Chamber, 8 Newtown Street, Duns.
- Selkirk - 26th April - Community Connections, Back Row, Selkirk.
- Kelso - 1st May - Tait Hall, Edenside Road, Kelso.
Neighbour notification process
Neighbour notification to those who hold a property next to land being proposed for development is now a mandatory requirement for councils at the Proposed Plan stage. The council has also chosen to carry out neighbour notification at the MIR stage where new land is identified as possible employment, housing or regeneration sites. Note that only those within a 25m radius of the perimeter of these sites will receive notification.
How you can comment on the MIR
You can make comments through the Online Development Plan (OLDP) system by selecting the Main Issues Report plan. Guidance on submitting comments through the OLDP is available.
You can also submit comments by contacting Plans and Research team or in writing to: Plans and Research Team, Council HQ, Newtown St Boswells, Scottish Borders, TD6 0SA.
Next steps
- MIR public consultation 2nd April to noon on 25th June 2012
- Report to Council on public consultation
- Preparation of Proposed Plan
Pre-MIR consultation process
A range of techniques were used prior to the production of the MIR to provide opportunities for the public to contribute to it. These early engagement exercises are listed below:
- LDP questionnaire (January 2011) - this provided an opportunity for the public to comment on what they consider the main priorities in the Scottish Borders to be
- Community Council training (November 2010) - this provided an opportunity for Community Council's to learn about the planning system, generate structured discussion and benefit from Planning Aid Scotland's community engagement expertise
- Expressions of interest (January 2011) - expressions of interest were submitted for future development or land use sites
- Focus group meetings (April 2011) - key agencies, developers and community councils discussed the main issues that could be taken forward in the LDP
- Area based community group meetings (June 2011) - community representatives discussed potential land uses within their settlements and provided information on what the community would like to see.
