Development Plan
The core work of the Plans and Research team is to prepare, monitor and review the Development Plan. The Development Plan for the Scottish Borders consists of the:
The purpose of the Development Plan is to guide the future development of the area. The recent Planning Bill (passed in 2006) will require a Strategic Development Plan to replace the existing Structure and Local Plan covering the most part of South East Scotland. However, there will continue to be a Local Development Plan for the whole of the Borders.
Preparation of Plans
In preparing the Structure Plan and Local Plan, the Council has to take account of a wide range of factors. These include:
- Government policy,
- Policy and research monitoring on key land use activities
- the views of the public, community and amenity groups,
- the views of industry and statutory bodies (such as Scottish Water).
Policies cover key land uses including
- housing
- transport
- employment
- retailing
- recreation
- natural and built environment protection
Use of Plans
Plans are not ends in themselves; they are tools for promoting future development of the right quality in the right places. It is essential that they are kept up to date to form a sound basis for consistent decision making. Planning applications are decided on the basis of policies and proposals in approved or adopted plans. In addition, supplementary planning guidance provides a material consideration in dealing with planning applications.
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