Local place plans
Local Place Plans are a recent type of approach to planning in Scotland that seeks to more actively engage communities in the design, designation and development of their local areas.
Local authorities prepare Local Development Plans to inform planning application decisions, however it is thought that these may not fully express the detailed needs of a particular community. Local Place Plans allow a community to prepare a plan focused specifically on their local area based on their local knowledge.
The intention is to give people an opportunity to develop proposals for the development and use of land in the place where they live, with regard to the Local Development Plan for their area, as well as the Scottish Government’s Strategic National Planning Framework which covers the whole of Scotland. Local Place Plans will stimulate and encourage debate about the future of a place, enabling communities to focus on their aspirations as well as their needs.
In 2022 the regulations for the preparation and submission of Local Place Plans were laid before Parliament in the Planning (Scotland) Act 2019 of which Part 1, Schedule 19 states: “A local place plan is a proposal as to the development or use of land. It may also identify land and buildings that the community body considers to be of particular significance to the local area.”
In January 2022 the Planning Circular 01/2022, set out guidance for communities and planning authorities on the preparation, submission and registration of Local Place Plans, which followed a survey that had previously been carried out, for which a summary can be found here. The initial guidance for Local Place Plans was published in January 2020, entitled 'The Local Place Plan Guide; a PAS approach'.
[edit] Related articles on Designing Buildings
- Community engagement in conservation.
- Community liaison officer.
- Consultation.
- Localism Act.
- National Planning Policy Framework.
- Neighbourhood planning.
- Non-statutory consultees.
- Planning objection.
- Statutory authorities.
- Stakeholder management.
- Stakeholder management: a quality perspective.
- Stakeholder map.
- Stakeholders.
- Statement of community involvement.
- Statutory planning notice.
- Third party dependancies.
- User panels.
- Walking interviews.
Featured articles and news
The Home Energy Model and its wrappers
From SAP to HEM, EPC for MEES and FHS assessment wrappers.
Future Homes Standard Essentials launched
Future Homes Hub launches new campaign to help the homebuilding sector prepare for the implementation of new building standards.
Building Safety recap February, 2026
Our regular run-down of key building safety related events of the month.
Planning reform: draft NPPF and industry responses.
Last chance to comment on proposed changes to the NPPF.
A Regency palace of colour and sensation. Book review.
Delayed, derailed and devalued
How the UK’s planning crisis is undermining British manufacturing.
How much does it cost to build a house?
A brief run down of key considerations from a London based practice.
The need for a National construction careers campaign
Highlighted by CIOB to cut unemployment, reduce skills gap and deliver on housing and infrastructure ambitions.
AI-Driven automation; reducing time, enhancing compliance
Sustainability; not just compliance but rethinking design, material selection, and the supply chains to support them.
Climate Resilience and Adaptation In the Built Environment
New CIOB Technical Information Sheet by Colin Booth, Professor of Smart and Sustainable Infrastructure.
Turning Enquiries into Profitable Construction Projects
Founder of Develop Coaching and author of Building Your Future; Greg Wilkes shares his insights.
IHBC Signpost: Poetry from concrete
Scotland’s fascinating historic concrete and brutalist architecture with the Engine Shed.
Demonstrating that apprenticeships work for business, people and Scotland’s economy.
Scottish parents prioritise construction and apprenticeships
CIOB data released for Scottish Apprenticeship Week shows construction as top potential career path.
From a Green to a White Paper and the proposal of a General Safety Requirement for construction products.
Creativity, conservation and craft at Barley Studio. Book review.
The challenge as PFI agreements come to an end
How construction deals with inherited assets built under long-term contracts.
Skills plan for engineering and building services
Comprehensive industry report highlights persistent skills challenges across the sector.
Choosing the right design team for a D&B Contract
An architect explains the nature and needs of working within this common procurement route.
Statement from the Interim Chief Construction Advisor
Thouria Istephan; Architect and inquiry panel member outlines ongoing work, priorities and next steps.