Local Place Plans are part of the Scottish Government’s wider work on planning reform and implementation of the Planning (Scotland) Act 2019 (the 2019 Act), including steps to reduce conflict, improve community engagement and build public trust in planning matters. They offer the opportunity for a community-led, collaborative approach to creating great local places. Local Place Plans can support community aspirations on the big challenges for a future Scotland, such as responding to the global climate emergency and tackling inequalities. 

The idea is for a local community to create and develop a plan through engaging with people living and working in that community, to identify their local needs, aspirations, and ambitions.

Dumfries and Galloway Council has created Local Place teams consisting of existing Planning Officers, Ward Officers, and Place Officers, who have the skills and expertise along with the trust and relationships of local communities to support the development of Local Place Plans. The teams are based in Annandale and Eskdale, Nithsdale, Stewartry and Wigtownshire.

Any community body deciding to create a plan can expect guidance and support from their Local Place team. Starting with an initial simple chat to discuss your thoughts and ideas; a single point of contact will be established to guide you throughout the development of their plan and help you navigate assistance from the Council and partners.

It is not compulsory for a community to develop a plan however, however a Local Place Plan will:

• help to identify the strengths and challenges of a place to determine what can stay the same and what needs to improve.
• help a community better understand the needs and aspirations of its people and creates opportunities to move this forward.
• help potential funders and investors better understand a community and how the cohesiveness of its various projects.
• be considered within the Local Development Plan, if registered by the Local Authority.

Who can prepare a Local Place Plan?

A Local Place Plan (LPP) can be prepared for any community area.

LPPs registered through Dumfries and Galloway Council must be prepared by a ‘Community Body.’ This can either be a ‘community-controlled body’ (as defined by the Community Empowerment Act 2015) or a Community Council.

If you are unsure whether your group qualifies as a ‘Community Body’, then this can be discussed with your Local Place Team following a submission of an Expression of Interest form.

However, while LPPs may only be prepared and submitted by a ‘community-controlled body’ and Community Council, conversation and engagement with the local community is essential in the development of an LPP. Your Local Place team will be able to advise you on this matter.

The Council’s Local Place teams, alongside its partners, will assist in supporting the development of the LPP by providing guidance from the initial stages. We do not want to do things “to” communities but rather want to “work with” them so they can do it for themselves.

Click here for more information on the Dumfries & Galloway Council web site.

Click here to visit the Our Place web site for more information on Local Place Plans