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PLANNING ADVICE NOTE: PAN 73: RURAL DIVERSIFICATION
Promoting Diversification through Development Plans
16. SPP 15: Planning for Rural Development stresses that development plans should acknowledge the diversity of rural Scotland through clear visions, use of typologies and evidence based policies. It also recognises the valuable role of public involvement and the need to create links with community planning.
Perth and Kinross Structure Plan, Sustainable Economy Policy 3
Support will be given to measures which promote an integrated flexible and innovative approach to rural development which encompass economic, social and environmental considerations and which:
- maintain and enhance local employment opportunities;
- promote diversification;
- help sustain viable rural communities and services; and
- introduce new technologies to rural areas.
Positive Policies
17. Development Plans can support diversification by providing a vision that encourages economic activity in our rural areas and by developing policies that are positive towards new businesses. The considerations against which the planning authority will assess diversification projects should be clearly set out. Different types of rural area will require different policy responses.
Identifying Sites
18. The needs and requirements of businesses can vary greatly and it is therefore important that Development Plans identify a wide range of sites. As highlighted throughout this PAN, sites should have existing or easily available infrastructure provision, generate sustainable traffic patterns, be sensitive in terms of natural and cultural heritage, encourage the use of brownfield, allow businesses to build on existing clusters and networks, and be deliverable within reasonable time-scales.
Community Involvement
19. It is important that development plans reflect the aspirations of the communities in their area and have strong links to community planning. Delivering diversification also requires the co-operation and support of landowners, developers, businesses and many other stakeholders whose views need to be married with the desires of local communities. In a rural area, the expansion or creation of new businesses can have profound effects and planners should therefore highlight the benefits of public involvement to new businesses.
Case Study 1: Rural Activity Areas in Stirling
The Stirling Clackmannanshire Structure Plan recognises that rural diversification is a priority in sustaining rural communities. It also realises the importance of providing new sites for existing business to expand and for the creation of new employment opportunities. An alteration to the local plan therefore identifies 'Rural Activity Areas' in Killearn, Doune and Callander. The sites chosen are close to proposed centres of housing growth and relate well to road links and rural bus routes. Supplementary development guidance has been prepared for each activity area setting out clear site objectives, identifying developable areas, establishing preferred primary uses and providing detail relating to design, landscaping, access, drainage and other infrastructure considerations.
Case Study 2: Listening to Communities around Loch Lomond
The Community Futures programme for the Loch Lomond and Trossachs National Park area has supported 24 rural communities in the preparation of local community action plans. These plans are used by communities to influence and contribute to public agency plans and programmes and assist in raising funding for priority projects and actions. The plans are being used to develop the National Park Plan from the bottom up. Each of the plans sets out how the community can support the development of the local economy.
To assist in the preparation of the plans the National Park has supported communities with the following resources:
- a part-time local Community Agent;
- technical support provided by the Small Town and Rural Development Group;
- Programme Manager support;
- administration grant; and
- production and distribution costs of Action Plan documents.
Each household in a community receives a copy of the final Community Action Plan.
For more information see: www.lochlomond-trossachs.org
PAN 49: Local Planning provides further details on community consultation.
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