A leaflet outlining the next steps in the finalisation of Orkney’s Local Development Plan, including a consultation which will run from May 7 to June 11, will be delivered to every household in Orkney from April 30.

Susan Shearer, OIC’s Senior Planner (Development Planning and Regeneration) said: "We’ve completed a second draft of the Plan. The newsletter will outline how you can have your say on this.

"The consultation in May and June is an opportunity for people to comment on the new draft before it goes to Scottish Ministers for final scrutiny.

"This latest draft reflects the planning views and aspirations expressed by the Orkney community during our consultations which commenced in 2009. Minor changes have been made to streamline some of the policies and bring them up to date with current national planning guidance and advice.

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"As with every stage in the production of a new Local Development Plan for the County, every comment received is recorded. All comments and responses by the Council’s Planning team are reported to Councillors, and then through the examination process to the Scottish Government."

Other updates in the Plan include removal of the sections on Local Landscape Areas and Local Nature Conservation Areas. These are now being handled as separate ‘supplementary planning guidances’ – ie, as separate detailed policy documents attached to the Plan – which will be subject to separate consultations later in the summer.

In total there will be 19 supplementary guidances ranging from Affordable Housing to Natural Heritage to support the Orkney Local Development Plan. Supplementary Guidance provides background policy information to the strategic policies in the Plan and can be redrafted to respond to emerging issues.

(GK)