North Ayrshire Council is calling on residents for feedback on a policy that will shape how future decisions are made about housing in the countryside.

The Council's Planning Service has published a Draft Policy Guidance note for new housing in the countryside – and are now seeking the views of local people before rubberstamping the final document.

The Local Development Plan sets out the limited circumstances in which we will support the development of new houses outwith our identified towns and villages, for example where it is proposed to convert or replace an existing building.

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The purpose of the Policy Guidance Note is to provide further detail to developers, applicants and communities on the relevant Local Development Plan policies and matters that should be considered when the development of one or more houses in the countryside is proposed.

The Policy Guidance Note is aligned to national and local planning context and defines the key design principles that will apply.

The importance of applicants and developers engaging with planning officers in pre-application discussions is emphasised throughout the new guidance note

Russell McCutcheon, Executive Director of Place at North Ayrshire Council, said: "This document provides guidance to developers and applicants on matters that should be considered when approaching an application for the development of one or more houses in the countryside.

"It is important that is consistent and provides a framework for us as we move forward. We are looking for feedback which will inform our final document which we will be publishing later this year."