News | Posted July 1, 2025
Update on Local Place Plans
Having supported seven communities in 2024 to develop Local Place Plans, it is great to see this work come to fruition with the plans being registered with their respective councils. Gairloch is the latest to be registered and is now available to read on the Highland Council website. Read on to find out more.
Planning Aid Scotland has a wealth of expertise supporting communities to develop Local Place Plans, either through mentoring, training or project management. Over the past 10 years we have directly supported over 20 community-led plans and Local Place Plans, and in 2024/25 a third of our training focussed on Local Place Plans, helping to strengthen local voices in planning decisions.
Local Place Plans were introduced in 2019 and allow communities to have their proposals for the development and use of land taken into account by the planning system. The plans set out the community’s aspirations for the future of their area and once registered by the planning authority, they will be taken into consideration in the preparation of a Local Development Plan.
In March, we shared that one of the seven communities we supported with the Local Place Plan process in 2024, North Berwick, registered their Local Place Plan with East Lothian Council. We are now pleased to announce that another community, Gairloch, has also reached this important stage, having recently registered their Local Place Plan with Highland Council.
Gairloch
The Local Place Plan sets out a vision for Gairloch as a vibrant, cohesive and sustainable community that supports all who live there, values and champions its local businesses and services, and protects its unique natural environment.
Planning Aid Scotland organised extensive community engagement in Gairloch between May and July 2024, including workshops, surveys, and school outreach to gather community views and ideas. The key themes emerging from the community engagement highlighted the following priorities:
- Homes: Provide a variety of homes that cater to every stage of life.
- Services and facilities: Provide services and facilities that meet the diverse needs and interests of the community.
- Connected communities: Strive to create connected communities through the development of active travel routes and improved public transport.
- Local economy: Develop a healthy local economy with a diverse range of employment opportunities.
- Natural environment: Ensure that the landscapes, wildlife, and ecosystems are preserved for future generations, while also being utilised responsibly to support local livelihoods.
