East Dunbartonshire Council has commenced the crucial "Call for Ideas and Sites Consultation" for its new Local Development Plan (LDP3).

This vital stage will run until Monday, 15 September 2025, offers a significant opportunity for the local community to influence the long-term vision for development across the region.

Once approved and adopted, LDP3 will outline where future development should take place and will be instrumental in addressing climate change, fostering high-quality living environments, attracting new jobs and investment, regenerating town centres, and protecting the historic and natural environment.

The consultation features two distinct surveys:

• Call for Ideas: This survey encourages suggestions, policies, and potential uses for various areas, allowing stakeholders to influence future land use regarding local housing needs, employment, tourism, renewable energy, active travel, and improvements to green spaces and community facilities.

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• Call for Sites: This section is an invitation for developers, landowners, agents, and the public to propose specific sites for consideration for future allocation within LDP3. Potential uses range from housing, retail, and business to tourism, community facilities, and nature-based solutions for climate change adaptation.

Sites can be submitted via an online survey form, with additional supporting information sent via email. While designed with developers in mind, community groups and individuals are also encouraged to propose locations that could enhance their local area.

To support engagement, the Council will host two drop-in information sessions:

• Kirkintilloch Town Hall: Thursday, 14 August 2025, from 15:00 to 19:00.

• The Fraser Centre, Milngavie: Tuesday, 19 August 2025, from 16:00 to 20:00. An online information session is also planned, with details to follow.

Councillor Gordan Low, Leader of the Council, emphasised the importance of broad participation: "It's important we hear from as many residents, community groups, organisations, landowners and businesses as possible. As well as site suggestions, we are looking for broader ideas about what should be included in the new LDP."

He added: "We want to ensure the Proposed Plan has a wide scope – including local facilities, retail, nature, and contributions to community wealth building and the East Dunbartonshire economy."

This consultation follows an initial evidence-gathering process between November 2024 and January 2025, which informed the LDP3 Evidence Report, recently approved by the Council and submitted to the Scottish Government. All submissions from the current consultation will be assessed to help formulate a Proposed Plan, which will then undergo a further public consultation.

Further information and access to the surveys are available on the LDP3 Ideas and Sites webpage between 21 July and 15 September 2025.