North Lanarkshire Council has said it is inviting suggestions for any sites that would be suitable for development up to 2025.

The request is part of the production of the authority's new Local Development Plan (LDP).

The Call for Sites allows interested parties to put forward ideas for sites that could be developed or redeveloped. This means seeking a change in the sites' current planning designation in the current North Lanarkshire Local Plan, to a new designation within the LDP.

Councillor James Coyle, Convener of the Planning and Transportation Committee commented: "The Local Development Plan is an important document in shaping the future of North Lanarkshire, setting out what type of development should take place where.


"For example, it will determine the best locations for new homes and businesses, and protects places of value to people or wildlife. It will also set the policy for how the council assesses planning applications.

"When we consider the sites suggested, we will be looking at how they would support local communities, economic regeneration, employment and the environment, as well as the impact on facilities and services in the area.

"The Call for Sites is the one of the first stages in producing the LDP and will help us look ahead and decide how best to develop and protect North Lanarkshire for the future."

The Call for Sites consultation will run for 10 weeks until Friday 27 September 2013. After this period, the Council will prepare a Main Issues Report, with an eight-week public consultation on the report to follow.

The final LDP is expected to be adopted in 2016, and will replace the North Lanarkshire Local Plan.

(JP/MH)