Local Place Plans

A Local Place Plan (LPP) lets your community set out how land and buildings in your area should be used in the future. You can use it to suggest new development, protect valued places, or improve local facilities.

Once you submit and we register your plan, we must take it into account when preparing Local Development Plan 3 (LDP3). This means your community can directly influence planning decisions.

Who can create a plan?

A Local Place Plan must be prepared by:

• a Community Council, or
• a recognised community body

as defined by Community Empowerment legislation

You can start a plan at any time.

What your plan must include

Your plan can be a document or a digital file. It must include:

• a map showing the area covered
• clear proposals for how land should be used or developed
• content that meets legal requirements (see Local Place Plans circular 1/2022)

You can also add photos, diagrams or drawings to explain your ideas.

When to submit

The earlier you submit your plan, the more influence it can have on LDP3. Early plans can help shape:

• community profiles
• the Evidence Report
• the proposed Local Development Plan

Later submissions will still be considered.

Support and advice

We cannot write your plan, but we can help you to:

• understand the process and legal requirements
• use checklists and guidance
• find useful resources

Submit your plan

When your Local Place Plan is ready, you can submit it using our online form. If it meets the legal requirements, we will add it to the Local Place Plan register.

Find out more

Access guidance and resources on our Local Place Plans resources page.

You can also read the Scottish Government guidance in Planning Circular 1/2022.