Fife Council has become first local authority in Scotland to approve an Evidence Report, the first stage in preparing a new style Local Development Plan for the Kingdom.

The Evidence Report brings together all the information and data to better understand the issues that Fife faces today. These issues range from the impacts of the climate emergency on our places, to infrastructure capacity constraints and how many homes will need to be built in Fife to meet housing needs for everyone.

The Evidence Report is the first stage of plan preparation; it is not the stage which sets out where development should and should not go, how Fife's places should change, or local policies to shape that change. The next stage; the Proposed Plan will set out those proposals.

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Councillor Altany Craik, Spokesperson for Finance, Economy, and Strategic Planning, said: "By approving the Evidence Report, Fife Council is taking a major step in our Local Development Planning. The analysis of the current issues in Fife will allow us to create a Local Development Plan which addresses the land use needs for Fife and help to build a fairer, future Fife.

"Taking this step demonstrates the emphasis that we are placing on ensuring Fife is full of thriving places, which will provide opportunities for all of our communities.

"We look forward to hearing the Scottish Government response to our Evidence Report, and to preparing our new Local Development Plan over the coming years, during which there will be opportunities for community engagement."

Following the approval of the Evidence Report, it will be sent to the Scottish Government and a Reporter from the Planning and Environmental Appeals Division will consider whether the Evidence Report contains sufficient information for Fife to prepare its new Local Development Plan.

The new Local Development Plan is expected to be in place in autumn 2027 and there will be further opportunities for communities to have their say on the new plan as it is prepared.

Fife Council's Planning Services webpage will be updated over the coming months, with further information on how to engage with the new plan.

For more information on the Evidence Report and the Local Development Plan, visit: Public Agenda Pack for Fife Council 21 March 2024