COUNCIL SEEKS INPUT ON FUTURE DEVELOPMENT OPTIONS

Argyll and Bute Council has launched a consultation exercise to seek the views of all interested parties on how the area might be developed in the future.

Developers and landowners are being asked to identify potential development sites, and members of the public, community groups and all other interested parties are being asked what they believe are the most important planning issues in their areas, and how best those might be addressed.

The move comes as part of the preparation of a new Local Development Plan (LDP).

The LDP will set out policies and proposals for the use of land and property within Argyll and Bute.

It will influence housing, shopping, business, industry, transport and the built and natural heritage, and will aim to guide future development to the most appropriate locations.

Anyone who wishes to promote a potential development site for possible inclusion in the LDP is being invited to submit details.

Sites submitted for consideration will not be automatically included in the Local Development Plan, but will be assessed against appropriate technical information and subject to widespread engagement with communities and consultation with key parties over the months ahead.

In addition, the Council is inviting individuals and groups to comment on what they see as the key planning issues affecting their areas, and how they think the previous adopted local plan has performed.

The feedback from this consultation exercise will also be used in developing a land-use map and in developing policy options for the finalised Plan.

To help facilitate this process, two questionnaires have been produced and are now available on the Council’s website (www.argyll-bute.gov.uk/) to download.

Both forms are also available at Kilmory, Lochgilphead, PA31 8RT (Telephone: 01546 4140) and can also be picked up at the area planning offices in Ardrishaig, Oban, Blairvadach, Helensburgh and Dunoon.

The three-month consultation period closes on 31 January 2010. Submissions should be returned, preferably by e mail, to ldp@argyll-bute.gov.ukor the above postal address.