A PROPOSED Local Place Plan for Stonehaven has been published – with locals being asked to confirm the document captures the views of the community as expressed through last year’s public consultation.
Aberdeenshire Council are currently working towards their next Local Development Plan, which they hope to approve in 2028 for the period between 2028 and 2038. Local Place Plans, LPPs, are a key part of the Scottish Government’s new planning system – giving communities an opportunity to influence their Local Development Plans.
Last year, Stonehaven residents were asked to participate in the process through a public consultation led by Stonehaven and District Community Council, SDCC. Following their efforts with fliers, posters and two public sessions, some 966 online responses were received – along with a wealth of feedback information gathered at the face-to-face events.
Now, the results of the consultation are presented in a report – available now online along with a link to a feedback form. Printed copies are also available in the library.
The 17-page document discusses previous consultations – their findings were also used to inform the Local Place Plan, LPP. And it looks at the physical and policy constraints limiting Stonehaven’s scope for large development – including the risk of flooding, protected coastal zone and pipeline corridor.
A series of proposals is then presented.
SDCC chair David Lawman said: ”The view of the town has not changed over the years – we need improved facilites.
”We don’t seem to have an opportunity for massive development, so we have no proposals for that.”
Pippa Robertson said: ”It does recognise what people value about the town, what they want to protect. It shows what we see as important and that is a really good starting point – protecting what we have, with scope for small changes through community-led projects.”
Mike Ogden added: ”There is no easy, golden location, so for those opportunities where we can develop, we should look at them carefully. What we are using is valuable space.”
The proposed LPP is now available to the public for 28 days, during which time representation should be made by anyone wishing to comment on the findings and proposals.
Feature image – local artist W.A.C. Dawson kindly provided details from his architectural montage of Stonehaven. This and his other works can be seen at The Quay Gallery on Rodney Street
Previously in The Bellman