Local Place Plans

Frequently Asked Questions

01 - What is a Local Place Plan?

Local Place Plans are community-led plans, prepared by community bodies, setting out proposals for the development and use of land within a local community.  They are part of the Scottish Government’s wider work on planning reform and implementation of the Planning (Scotland) Act 2019.  Once completed and submitted to the Council, after having gone through a validation process to ensure they meet the requirements on Local Place Plans, they will be registered by Midlothian Council and will be taken into account in the preparation of the new Midlothian Local Development Plan (MLDP2).

Examples of what could be considered as development or use of land which might feature in a Local Place Plan could include:

  • sites which support climate change adaptation (such as renewable energy or flood mitigation)
  • local initiatives for the promotion of active travel
  • local initiatives for community food growing
  • sites for housing (including for affordable housing), local employment, tourism or community facilities
  • retaining, improving and expanding quality open space and green/ blue infrastructure and play facilities
  • conservation of the natural and built environment
  • improvements in town, village and neighbourhood centres
  • support for a national development (as featured in the National Planning Framework)

02 - Who prepares Local Place Plans?

Local Place Plans are prepared by a 'community-controlled body', as defined in section 19 of the Community Empowerment (Scotland) Act 2015. 

It must be stressed that Local Place Plans will be the communities' plans and Midlothian Council will not be leading this process.  It is likely that in most cases a Community Council will lead the preparation of a Local Place Plan, as these are established bodies with an existing interest in land use planning.  However, other community based bodies that meet the definition in the Community Empowerment (Scotland) Act 2015 may also come forward.  These may include, for example, a group concerned with the regeneration of a particular locality or perhaps a group constituted solely for the purpose of preparing a Local Place Plan.   

The community body will have an important role in:

  • defining the area of the Local Place Plan
  • bringing together and considering differing interests
  • setting the process and timetable
  • identifying and bringing together the relevant resources
  • assessing and prioritising evidence
  • engaging the local community and public bodies
  • considering and balancing what may be different priorities and aspirations

03 - Why might a community want to prepare a Local Place Plan?

Local Place Plans are a way for communities to think about how they can make their 'place' better and achieve change in their local area.  They may identify land and buildings that community bodies consider to be of particular significance, which can help to recognise their importance within the community and make sure they are considered within planning decisions.

One of the key aspects of the Local Place Plan will be the potential influence it has on shaping future local planning policies for the area.  Through a statement accompanying the Local Place Plan, the community body must set out why it considers that the Midlothian Local Development Plan should be amended.  Once registered, the Local Place Plan will be taken into account in the preparation of the next Midlothian Local Development Plan (MLDP2). 

04 - What form should a Local Place Plan take?

A Local Place Plan can be a short, clear and visual document which sets out the community body’s proposals and priorities.  The regulations require that the Local Place Plan contains three elements:

  1. identification of the community body responsible for prepared the Local Place Plan;
  2. a map showing the land to which the Local Place Plan relates; and
  3. a statement of the community body’s proposals as to the development or use of land within the Local Place Plan area.  It will be for the community body to consider how to present these proposals.  They may wish to illustrate the statement of proposals, for example through the use of maps, photographs, sketches and/ or drawings. 

These requirements should provide for a Local Place Plan which sets out clearly the community body’s proposals in a way that is easily communicated to the local community and Midlothian Council.

05 - What assistance is available to prepare a Local Place Plan?

Midlothian Council have placed information on the planning pages of its website to act as an information hub for parties interested in Local Place Plans.  Midlothian Council have also set up a Local Place Plan email address where any queries about LPPs may be sent.  

In early 2023, Midlothian Council issued an invitation to known community bodies to prepare Local Place Plans.  This set out the assistance that the Council can give, and provided guidance to ensure that LPPs are prepared that meet the requirements of the legislation.  Questions on this can be emailed to the below address:

06 - What boundaries should Local Place Plans use?

Where possible, Local Place Plan boundaries should reflect local community boundaries.  A clear definition of the Local Place Plan boundary is important as it will set out some administrative matters relating to engagement with local authorities, councillors and adjoining community councils.  It will also allow the planning authority to accurately plot the Local Place Plan area.

The map of the Local Place Plan should show the:

  1. the boundary and extent of the Local Place Plan area; and
  2. wider community area / Midlothian Council area.

It can map land and buildings that the community sees as being particularly significant, and also identify location-specific proposals. 

07 - Can a Local Place Plan be prepared jointly by two community bodies?

While the legislation does not prevent multiple Local Place Plans for an area, the Scottish Government encourages people and organisations considering preparing a Local Place Plan to work collaboratively and in a joined-up way where possible.

08 - What other plans must a Local Place Plan have regard to?

In preparing a Local Place Plan, a community body must have regard to the following plans:

This requirement is set out in:

In Midlothian, there are two tiers of community plans:

These represent Locality Plans as defined by the Community Empowerment (Scotland) Act 2015.

09 - Can a community submit an existing recent plan?

It may be possible to use a recent community-led plan as the basis for a submission, as long as the plan meets the criteria for Local Place Plans.  Midlothian Council will need to assess such a proposal against the context of the legislation and Scottish Government guidance as set out in Scottish Government Planning Circular 1/2022 (Local Place Plans).

10 - How long will it take to prepare a Local Place Plan?

This depends on the community body and the depth of information to be provided.

11 - When should Local Place Plans be prepared?

During calendar year 2023, up to 31 October 2023.  However, if the LPP is not ready by this date, please forward a draft version, which outlines the proposed content structure and submit a final version by 31 March 2024.

12 - What level of consultation will be expected for a Local Place Plan?

While there is no legal requirement for the community body to engage with its wider community, it is however required to include a statement setting out:

  1. the community body's view of the level and nature of support for the Local Place Plan; and
  2. the basis on which the community body has reached that view, including a description of any consultation in respect of the proposed Local Place Plan.

Engaging the wider community will provide key evidence of people’s views of the proposals in the Local Place Plan.  This statement should be based on evidence obtained from any activities undertaken by the community body to find out the views of people or organisations.  The community body should give:

  • a brief description of the activities;
  • an estimation of the number and interests of people and/or organisations involved; and
  • a brief summary of what views were expressed, both in support or where they were in opposition to the proposals.

There are often differences of opinion within communities and if concerns are raised during the engagement with the community and others, the community body may wish to show how it has tried to resolve these.

13 - What is the Local Place Plan pre-submission process?

Prior to submitting a Local Place Plan to Midlothian Council, regulations require that a copy of the proposed Local Place Plan and an Information Notice is sent to:

  • each elected Midlothian Council Councillor for the Local Place Plan area; and
  • a community council any part of whose area is within, or adjoins, the Local Place Plan area.

The Information Notice should contain:

  • a brief description of the content and purpose of the proposed Local Place Plan; and
  • information as to how and to whom any representations on the content of the proposed Local Place Plan should be made and the date by which they should be made.

The community body should consider:

  • how to bring in the voices of all sectors of the community;
  • who the proposals affect, either directly, or indirectly; and
  • what methods of engagement are fit for purpose and appropriate for the community.

It is for the community body to decide how long a period to allow for representations to be made, although this cannot be less than 28 days after the date on which the notice is sent.

Documents referred to in the Local Place Plan, other than those prepared by the Council, should be provided to the Council in the Local Place Plan.  Where available, this can be done through weblinks.

14 - What is the Local Place Plan submission process?

Once the community body has prepared the Local Place Plan and accompanying information as set out in legislation, it can then be submitted to Midlothian Council.  The Local Place Plan and associated information should preferably be submitted electronically or by hard copy if that is not possible.

15 - What is the Local Place Plan registration process?

When Midlothian Council receives a Local Place Plan and accompanying information, it will check it contains all the required information, and that the organisation qualifies as a community body.  If the organisation is a community body and has complied with the legal requirements, then Midlothian Council must accept the Local Place Plan and proceed to register it. Midlothian Council will maintain a register of Local Place Plans and a map of Local Place Plans areas.

Register of Local Place Plans

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