Renfrewshire Council's planning overview, which will shape how the area's land can be used for the next five years, has reached another important milestone.

The Local Development Plan is the council's view of how land should be used for different purposes, such as housing, industrial or retail use.

Once agreed, it will be used as the basis for all future planning decisions.

Last year, the council approved new version of the plan, which was published and advertised in January, giving the Renfrewshire public six weeks to have its say on the contents.

All representations received have been compiled into a single report and published and was this week presented to councillors on the Planning and Property Policy Board.

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The next stage is for the council to pass the proposed plan, look a t the objections made to it and the council's response to those objections, to Scottish Ministers.

All the material will then be reviewed and reported back early in 2014 with a decision on any changes.

Councillor Terry Kelly, Convener of the Planning and Property Policy Board, said: "We want to ensure Renfrewshire continues to be an attractive place to live, visit and do business.

"The Local Development Plan is a vital part of that, as it lays down guidelines designed to ensure the right developments take place in the right place at the right time.

"We have to strike a balance between using the area's land in a way which encourages economic growth, while also protecting our communities and the environment.

"The area of the plan which has attracted the most comment is land for housing. The local economy cannot grow without some degree of expansion for new homes.

"The strategy laid out in the plan is for the vast majority - 88% - of future housing development to be contained within brownfield sites.

"Provision has been made for some limited release of greenbelt land, but residents should be assured this will only happen in areas where we feel any development would be sustainable and appropriate."

(JP/MH)