Aberdeenshire Local Development Plan 2016 Proposed Supplementary Guidance 9

Special Landscape Areas – Consultation

To Community Councils

Aberdeenshire Local Development Plan 2016

Proposed Supplementary Guidance 9 – Special Landscape Areas – Consultation

As part of the preparation of the new Local Development Plan which is expected to be adopted in late 2016, Aberdeenshire Council has been working to develop a new local landscape designation. This designation will be known as a “Special Landscape Area”. The emerging Aberdeenshire Local Development Plan 2016, and currently of examination, commits the Council to publish Supplementary Guidance on Aberdeenshire’s Special Landscape Areas. The Supplementary Guidance supports the policy by identifying the reasons why these areas are “special” and what control on development might be required to protect and enhance these characteristics.

Over the past 12 months Land Use Consultants (LUC) have been contracted to identify the criteria by which Special Landscape Areas (SLA’s) should be identified, and to recommend to Aberdeenshire Council candidate SLAs. In completing this work, LUC undertook three stages of engagement with stakeholders. They have recommended 10 candidate SLAs which Aberdeenshire Council are proposed in this consultation.

The proposed Supplementary Guidance provides policy context and guidance as to why “special” landscapes are important. It also identifies the boundary and qualifying criteria of each SLA, and provides guidance on the control of development for each SLA. This based on the specific sensitivities within the SLA which the policy aims to protect via a Statement of Importance for each of the 10 candidate SLAs.

The proposed Supplementary Guidance has been formally published today, 1st April 2016, for a period for public comment lasting 6 weeks, closing on 13th May 2016. The proposed Supplementary Guidance can be viewed via the link below. A response form has also been prepared and is available via the link. Whilst we encourage use of the response form, comments received by email or in writing will also be accepted. A series of short films giving further details on the Supplementary Guidance and on each of the 10 candidate SLAs is also available via the link and we would encourage you to view these.

https://www.aberdeenshire.gov.uk/ldp

My team and I are, as always, available to attend Community Council Forums, Community Council Meetings, or just advice over the phone, if there is any planning policy matter that you may wish clarified.

Please do not hesitate to contact me or members of my team if you have any queries.

Yours Sincerely

Piers Blaxter

Policy Team Leader

Planning and Building Standards, Aberdeenshire Council

Westburn Road, Aberdeen AB16 5GB

01224 664221