Planning Services

Local Planning

Welcome to the online information pages for the Local Planning Service

Local Planning is the part of the Planning Service which is responsible for planning policy.

The specific responsibilities of the Local Planning Service include:

  • South Ayrshire Local Plan
  • Strategic planning through contribution to Ayrshire-wide planning and environmental initiatives, most particularly the Ayrshire Joint Structure Plan.
  • Information on population and households, much of it related to the Census 2001; as well as housing land supply, industrial land supply, vacant and derelict land, town centres and other demographic and land use data
  • Preparation of Supplementary Planning Guidance and development briefs

Modernisation of the planning system

The planning system is currently being modernised following the introduction of the Planning etc. (Scotland) Act 2006. The changes introduced by this Act are substantial and are gradually being rolled out by the Scottish Government.

There will be significant implications as a result of the implementation of the Act on the Council's Local Planning Service. One of the most significant changes will be the way in which members of the public can become involved in the planning process. The Council will also be required to continue to actively engage members of the public on the plan making process to ensure that everyone who wishes to do so has an opportunity to comment on the plan. More information on the modernisation of the planning system can be found on the Scottish Government's website.

Local Plans

The preparation of a local plan is a requirement of the Town and Country Planning (Scotland) Act 1997. Under the terms of this Act a local plan is required to consist of a 'written statement formulating in such detail as the planning authority think appropriate the authority's proposals for the development and other use of land in that part of their district or for any description of development or other use of such land including in either case such measures as the planning authority think fit for the conservation of the natural beauty and amenity of the land, the improvement of the physical environment and the management of traffic, a map showing those proposals, and such diagrams, illustrations and descriptive matter as the planning authority think appropriate to explain or illustrate those proposals, or as may be prescribed, and shall contain such matters as may be prescribed' (www.opsi.gov.uk/acts/).

South Ayrshire Local Plan

The South Ayrshire Local Plan (SALP) was adopted on April 6th 2007. It sets out the policies, proposals and recommendations for the development and other use of land, the protection of environmental resources and for the management of transport and traffic within an identified administrative area. In effect, the SALP is the primary document against which all planning applications within South Ayrshire will be assessed. Together the SALP and the Ayrshire Joint Structure Plan make up the Development Plan for the area.

The South Ayrshire Local Plan comprises of:

  1. Ayr Town Centre Strategy
  2. Newton Strategy
  3. Heathfield Strategy
  4. Forestry Strategy
  5. Wildlife Strategy
  6. Coastal Strategy