Stirling Council is seeking the views and opinions of local people as to how they would like Stirling to grow and develop over the next twenty years.

In accordance with the Planning (Scotland) Act 2006 the Council has been progressing with a framework for the future use and development of land through a new Local Development Plan (LDP).

The first phase in preparing the new LDP is to publish and consult on a ‘Main Issues Report’ (MIR). This report sets out the Council’s general proposals for future development in the area. The MIR is a discussion document that seeks local views on policy and development options which can be considered for inclusion in the Proposed Local Development Plan which is due to be published in May 2011.

The proposed ‘Vision’ for the area recognises that proper ‘place-making’ requires consideration of sustainable economic growth, while retaining the area’s character and quality of environment, alongside population growth.

-- Advertisement --

Consultation on the MIR will be carried out from Friday May 7 until Friday July 30, 2010. This will include a series of Summer Road Shows in town and villages across the area. At the Road Shows people will also have the opportunity to give their views on the development of the Council's Local Housing Strategy’s (LHS), Housing Issues Report, which the Council launched in April, and input into the Council’s Open Space Strategy.

Throughout May and June the Council will hold fourteen drop-in sessions in communities across the area starting in Bridge of Allan on Saturday May 8.

Stirling Council Portfolio Holder with responsibility for Environment Councillor Jim Thomson said: "It is important that the local residents, communities and businesses take the opportunity to play their part in contributing to the new local development plan process. The consultation roadshows will enable views and input into the preparation of this key strategy, which will inform the future shape and development of Stirling, it’s city, towns and villages and the rural areas, to cope with the demands and challenges we all face, to ensure continued prosperity and well-being and to protect the character and environment of our area."

Further information on Stirling Local Development Plan is available on the Council website at: www.stirling.gov.uk/localdevplan .

(GK)