Development Plan Scheme
North Ayrshire Council · 27 November 2024
Back to Planning Committee — 27 November 2024 and its agenda
Text extracted from the council's PDF. Layout and reading order may differ from the original.
Page 1
NORTH AYRSHIRE COUNCIL 27 November 2024 Planning Committee Title: Development Plan Scheme Purpose: To update Members on the preparation of the Council’s next Local Development Plan (LDP3) and seek approval of a revised Development Plan Scheme. Recommendation: It is recommended that the Planning Committee adopts the Development Plan Scheme. 1. Executive Summary 1.1 A new Development Plan Scheme has been prepared in accordance with Section 20B of the Town and Country Planning (Scotland) Act 1997, as amended. A Development Plan Scheme is a document setting out a planning authority's programme for preparing and reviewing its local development plan (LDP). The Development Plan Scheme also includes a Participation Strategy, setting out when, how and with whom consultation on the plan will take place. 1.2 The proposed timetable for the preparation of North Ayrshire’s third local development plan (LDP3) outlined in the new Development Plan Scheme sets a target date of March 2027 for the adoption of LDP3. 2. Background 2.1 North Ayrshire Council adopted the current Local Development Plan (LDP2) on 28 November 2019. The Plan has a vision, aligned with the North Ayrshire Community Planning Partnership, that looks forward 20 years and plans for a 10-year period to 2029. The policies and proposals, including sites allocated for development, within LDP2 – alongside the National Planning Framework (NPF4) – are the basis for determining planning applications, with decisions made in accordance with the development plan (LD2 and NPF4) unless material considerations indicate otherwise. 2.2 As planning authority we are required to prepare a Development Plan Scheme (DPS) annually. The Development Plan Scheme sets out the programme for preparing and reviewing the local development plan; what is likely to be involved at each stage and when, how and with whom consultation on the plan will take place (a Participation Statement). Our last Development Plan Scheme was approved by the Planning Committee in November 2023.
Page 2
2.3 The Planning (Scotland) Act 2019 makes significant changes to the development planning system and the way local development plans are to be prepared, which are still in their infancy. The changes aim to make development plans more effective, with greater community involvement and more focus on delivery. The new legislative provisions and regulations relating to the development planning system came into force in May 2023 with local development planning guidance, setting out the Scottish Ministers’ expectations for implementing this new system, published at the same time. The Scottish Government expects that every planning authority in Scotland will have a new style LDP in place within around 5 years of the Regulations coming into force i.e. by May 2028. 2.4 The table below sets out the proposed timetable for preparing LDP3. One change has been made to the timetable compared to last year’s DPS, with an additional 3 months given to the publication of the Evidence Report. It is now expected the Evidence Report will be presented to full Council in March 2025 for approval. An extensive programme of evidence gathering has been undertaken over the past 12 months, however, further time is required to review this evidence; summarise what it means for LDP3; and bring this together in a format which is proportionate and provides the information required to be assessed as sufficient at the Gate Check stage. The anticipated date of adoption of LDP3 remains March 2027. Key Stage 2023 Development Plan Scheme Target Date Publication of Evidence Report Oct-Dec 2024 (Q3 2024/25) Jan-Mar 2024 (Q4 2024/25) Publication of Proposed Plan Oct-Dec 2025 (Q3 2025/26) Oct-Dec 2025 (Q3 2025/26) Submission of Proposed Plan to Scottish Ministers Apr-Jun 2026 (Q1 2026/27) Apr-Jun 2026 (Q1 2026/27) Expected Adoption of LDP3 Jan-Mar 2027 (Q4 2026/27) Jan-Mar 2027 (Q4 2026/27) 2.5 In accordance with our previous Development Plan Scheme, to support the preparation of the Evidence Report, Place Profiles for all six localities in North Ayrshire were published in October 2024. These set out key baseline data and evidence, summarise early engagement to-date and reflect on the outcomes of other recent community engagement initiatives such as Charrettes, Local Place Frameworks, Local Place Plans and Island Plans. A series of information events were held across the Council area between 24 October and 22 November 2024 to present the profiles and seek further feedback on the priorities of local communities. 2.6 The next stage in the process is to finalise the Evidence Report. The Evidence Report must be approved by the full Council before it is submitted to the Scottish Ministers for a gate check – an assessment of the sufficiency of the evidence. We will then progress to preparing the Proposed Plan, including through a ‘Call for Ideas’ stage where all stakeholders will be invited to propose ideas for any aspect of the new local development plan, not limited specifically to suggestions for development sites or types of development. It is expected that this will take place between April and June 2025.
Page 3
2.7 The Development Plan Scheme also includes a Participation Statement setting out when, how and with whom consultation on the plan will take place. The statement reiterates our approach, followed throughout the preparation of LDP2, to encourage everyone with an interest in North Ayrshire to get involved in the update of the Local Development Plan. 2.8 The Participation Strategy highlights five distinct opportunities for involvement throughout the preparation of LDP3, aligned with the key stages in the process. Our approach will evolve during the course of preparing LDP3, taking account of Scottish Government guidance and the views of stakeholders and the public on how they can be most effectively consulted and engaged, enabling us to tailor our approach and improve its effectiveness. Next Steps 2.9 If approved for adoption by Members, the Development Plan Scheme will be sent to Scottish Ministers, published online and placed in all libraries in accordance with the planning legislation. An update will be provided to all stakeholders. 3. Proposals 3.1 It is recommended that the Planning Committee adopts the Development Plan Scheme attached to this report. 4. Implications/Socio-economic Duty Financial 4.1 None. Human Resources 4.2 The programme for preparing and reviewing North Ayrshire’s local development plan (LDP) can be delivered within existing staff resources and budgetary provision. Legal 4.3 The Planning (Scotland) Act 2019 introduces a new legislative framework for preparing a local development plan and requires the preparation of a Development Plan Scheme at least every year. Equality/Socio-economic 4.4 The preparation of a new Local Development Plan for North Ayrshire will be required to be subject of an equalities impact assessment and assessment on the impact of the plan on children. Environmental and Sustainability 4.5 The preparation of a new Local Development Plan for North Ayrshire will be required to be subject of a Strategic Environmental Assessment and Habitat Regulations Appraisal.
Page 4
Key Priorities 4.6 LDP3 will align with wider national priorities, programmes and strategies, most directly via National Planning Framework 4. This links with the Council’s key priorities of wellbeing, communities and local democracy and climate change. The LDP is a key mechanism for supporting Placemaking within North Ayrshire. Community Wealth Building 4.7 There is significant scope within the plan making process to explore how the Local Development Plan can support Community Wealth Building, for example around its approach to land owned by ‘anchor’ organisations within the local economy. 5. Consultation 5.1 A Participation Statement forms part of the Development Plan Scheme and outlines how, when and with who we will engage with throughout the process of preparing the next Local Development Plan. An Engagement Survey has informed our approach, which will evolve in response to guidance, best practice and further feedback. DAVID W. HAMMOND Executive Director (Communities and Housing) For further information please contact Alistair Gemmell, Strategic Planning Manager, on 01294 324021. Background Papers 0
Page 5
Development Plan Scheme 2024 Draft - November 2024
Page 6
2 Contents Introduction ................................................................................................................ 3 Proposed Timetable ................................................................................................... 4 Key Stages ................................................................................................................. 5 Early Engagement & Data Collection ...................................................................... 5 Evidence Report ..................................................................................................... 6 Gate Check ............................................................................................................. 6 Proposed Plan ........................................................................................................ 7 Examination ............................................................................................................ 7 Adoption ................................................................................................................. 8 Monitoring & Delivery .............................................................................................. 8 Draft Participation Statement ..................................................................................... 9 Local Place Plans ..................................................................................................... 12 Impact Assessments ................................................................................................ 13
Page 7
3 Introduction The development plan for North Ayrshire comprises the adopted Local Development Plan (LDP2) and National Planning Framework 4 (NPF4). North Ayrshire Council adopted the current Local Development Plan on 28 November 2019. Scottish Ministers adopted National Planning Framework 4 on 13 February 2023. This Development Plan Scheme (DPS) sets out North Ayrshire Council’s programme for reviewing LDP2 and preparing North Ayrshire’s third Local Development Plan – LDP3. It includes the proposed timetable and timings for the main stages of LDP preparation; details of what is involved at each stage; and a Participation Statement. The Participation Statement outlines when consultation is likely to take place, how and with whom. Planning authorities are required to prepare and publish a Development Plan Scheme at least annually. The previous Development Plan Scheme was adopted by the Planning Committee and published in November 2023. Following the adoption of LDP2 in November 2019, the 2020 Development Plan Scheme, approved by Planning Committee in June 2020, set out the intention to prepare LDP3 under the new provisions of the Planning (Scotland) Act 2019, once enacted. The new legislative provisions and regulations relating to the development planning system came into force on 19 May 2023, later than expected due to the Covid-19 pandemic. The local development planning guidance, setting out the Scottish Ministers’ expectations for implementing this new system, was also published in May 2023. The local development planning guidance states that every planning authority in Scotland should have a new style LDP in place within around five years of the regulations coming into force i.e. by May 2028. The revised timetable proposed by this DPS envisages adoption of LDP3 in March 2027. The new legislation, regulations and guidance are at the centre of reforms to the Scottish planning system, including to the way local development plans are prepared. They are aimed at making LDPs more effective, more place-based with greater community involvement in their preparation and more focus on delivery. This means putting people and communities at the heart of a collaborative process to prepare LDP3 in a way that meets people’s needs and aspirations and tackles inequalities. The Participation Statement sets out our intentions around ensuring engagement on LDP3 is early, collaborative, meaningful and proportionate. Any individual or organisation interested in the preparation of the development plan for North Ayrshire, including the details of future consultation events, is encouraged to sign up to our mailing list to receive updates direct to their mailbox.
Page 8
4 Proposed Timetable The proposed timetable for preparing North Ayrshire’s third Local Development Plan (LDP3) is set out below: Key Stage 2023 Development Plan Scheme Target Date Publication of Evidence Report Oct-Dec 2024 (Q3 2024/25) Jan-Mar 2024 (Q4 2024/25) Publication of Proposed Plan Oct-Dec 2025 (Q3 2025/26) Oct-Dec 2025 (Q3 2025/26) Submission of Proposed Plan to Scottish Ministers Apr-Jun 2026 (Q1 2026/27) Apr-Jun 2026 (Q1 2026/27) Expected Adoption of LDP3 Jan-Mar 2027 (Q4 2026/27) Jan-Mar 2027 (Q4 2026/27) Note: in accordance with the Local Development Planning Guidance, the timetable for preparing North Ayrshire’s third Local Development Plan (LDP3) uses ‘quarters’ where Quarter 1 = April-June, Quarter 2 = July-Sept, Quarter 3 = Oct-Dec, Quarter 4 = Jan-March. One change has been made to the proposed timetable compared last year’s DPS, with an additional 3 months given to the publication of the Evidence Report. It is now expected the Evidence Report will be presented to full Council in March 2025 for approval. The Evidence Report is a new stage in the preparation of a local development plan and the Regulations do not include minimum evidence requirements. While this provides flexibility to planning authorities on the appropriate type and amount of evidence for their area, it creates some uncertainty around the exact requirements, particularly in the absence examples of previous Evidence Reports. An extensive programme of evidence gathering has been undertaken over the past 12 months, however, further time is required to review this evidence; summarise what it means for LDP3; and bring this together in a format which is proportionate and provides the information required to be assessed as sufficient at the Gate Check stage. It is also important that stakeholders can collate and review the evidence. A further three months will allow continued engagement, including with NHS Ayrshire & Arran and North Ayrshire Health and Social Care Partnership regarding the capacity of health care services, which has been identified during community engagement as a key issue in some locations. To date, five planning authorities have submitted their Evidence Report to Scottish Ministers and a Gate Check has been completed for four of these reports. Two Evidence Reports have been returned after being found to contain insufficient
Page 9
5 information to enable the planning authority to prepare its local development plan; two planning authorities have been cleared to progress. The additional time allowed to complete the Evidence Report will also enable discussions with other planning authorities, to learn lessons from completed Gate Checks and adopt emerging best practice. Key Stages The following section of the Development Plan Scheme details what is involved in each stage of preparation of North Ayrshire’s third Local Development Plan. Early Engagement & Data Collection ➢ Complete In late 2022, the Planning Service commenced early engagement, including with other Council services, Elected Members, key agencies and community councils in advance of commencing work on North Ayrshire’s third Local Development Plan. In March 2023 we launched an online hub to support the preparation of LDP3, including the launch of the ‘Your Place’ survey, based on the Place Standard. We have engaged with Council tenants; locality planning partners and children and young people via Joint Cabinet, Youth Council, Joint Youth Forum and meeting North Ayrshire Members of the Scottish Youth Parliament (MSYP). Scoping was undertaken to consider the matters to be addressed in the Evidence Report; the relevant baseline information needed for each issue; the need for primary data collection; the stakeholders to be involved in collating and reviewing data and a timetable for this work. A programme of data collection has been undertaken with the following audits and studies also undertaken to inform the Evidence Report: • Housing Land Audit (completed annually) • Employment Land Audit (completed annually) • Employment Land Requirement Study • Town Centre Audits • Open Space Audit • Play Sufficiency Assessment • Local Nature Conservation Site Review (mainland) • Local Landscape Area Review • Retail Capacity Study • Transport Baseline Study • Settlement Edge Landscape Sensitivity Study To support the preparation of the Evidence Report, Place Profiles for all six localities in North Ayrshire were published in October . These set out key baseline information and data, summarise early engagement to date and reflect on the outcomes of other
Page 10
6 recent and current community engagement initiatives such as Charrettes, Local Place Frameworks. Local Place Plans and Island Plans. Evidence Report ➢ We are at this stage in the preparation of LDP3 Under the new system for local development planning, the first output in the process of preparing a local development plan is an Evidence Report. This is a new stage, replacing the ‘Main Issues Report’. The Evidence Report aims to clearly inform what to plan for before the Proposed Plan looks at where development should take place. The Evidence Report therefore will not consider specific sites but instead provide a summary of the baseline data and information needed to inform a deliverable, place- based and people-focused LDP. In addition to the Place Profiles, we will prepare topic papers on housing and the environment, allowing the public and stakeholders to comment on data collected; providing an opportunity to sense check our understanding and to supply further information and views on the needs and aspiration for the places in North Ayrshire people live, work and visit. The profiles, in addition to the feedback received on these papers, will form the basis of the Evidence Report. The Evidence Report must be approved by the full Council before it is submitted to the Scottish Ministers. We will aim to publish the Evidence Report following Council approval in March 2025. Gate Check Once the Evidence Report has been considered and approved by full Council, it will be submitted to the Scottish Ministers for a Gate Check. This is also a new stage in the process for preparing a local development plan and is principally the responsibility of the person appointed by Scottish Ministers, expected to be a Reporter from the Directorate for Planning and Environmental Appeals (DPEA). The appointed person will provide an independent assessment as to whether the report contains sufficient information. The Reporter will either decide there is sufficient information, and we may then move to prepare and publish a Proposed Plan or, where they are not satisfied that there is sufficient information, prepare an ‘assessment report’ setting out the reasons for not being satisfied and recommendations for improving the Evidence Report. The length of the Gate Check is estimated at 3 months by DPEA, however, will be determined by the number of disagreements with the evidence and the requirement for further information and/or hearing sessions. We anticipate the Gate Check taking place April to June 2025.
Page 11
7 Proposed Plan We aim to move quickly from successfully completing the gate check to preparation of the Proposed Plan. To support this process, we will carry out a Call for Ideas following submission of the Evidence Report to Gate Check. This will be open to everyone to propose ideas for any aspect of the new local development plan, not limited specifically to suggestions for development sites or types of development e.g., housing. The Proposed Plan will be our settled view on the policies and proposals that will make up LDP3, including where new development should take place and where it should not. In preparing the Proposed Plan, we will consider the Evidence Report; submissions made at the Call for Ideas stage; registered Local Place Plans and any other place-based community-led plans; and undertake further engagement with stakeholders to test proposals to be included within the Plan. The Proposed Plan requires the approval of the full Council. Once Council has had the opportunity to consider and approves the Proposed Plan, it will be published to allow any representations from stakeholders, including the general public, which seek to make changes to the plan, for a period of at least 12 weeks. Following the close of the period for representations on the Proposed Plan, we may make modifications to the plan to take account of representations, consultation responses or correct minor drafting and technical matters. A Modification Report, if necessary, will set out any modifications made and explain the reasons for making them and for not making changes where matters have been raised in significant numbers. We will then republish the Proposed Plan and submit it to Scottish Ministers, who will examine any unresolved representations via an Examination. We will aim to publish the Proposed Plan for consultation by December 2025 and submit to Scottish Ministers in June 2026. Examination The examination is the opportunity for independent consideration of any issues raised during the formal consultation on the Proposed Plan that have not been resolved through modifications. Scottish Ministers will appoint a person, known as a Reporter, to examine the Proposed Plan, starting with whether the consultation and involvement of the public in the preparation of the plan meets or exceeds the requirements of the Participation Statement. The scope of the examination is limited only to issues raised in unresolved representations. These issues will be set out in the summary of issues prepared by the planning authority and it is the Reporter who will determine the form the Examination will take. Only where the Reporter feels they do not have all the
Page 12
8 information they need to make a proper assessment of an issue will they request further information from any person. The Reporter will provide conclusions and recommendations for each of the unresolved issues identified at the start of the Examination process. Adoption Following receipt of the examination report from the Reporter – and subject to the recommendations of the Reporter on the unresolved representations – we will progress to adopt LDP3, further modified as required. As with the Gate Check, it is difficult to be certain how long the examination of the Proposed Plan will take. This will be determined by the number of issues being examined, the requirement for further information to be submitted; the need for any hearing sessions; resources available to DPEA, among other factors. Our programme allows for a six-month examination with a further three months to adopt the plan. Notwithstanding the potential for the examination to take longer than six months, we anticipate adopting LDP3 on or before March 2027. It is noted that the local election expected to take place in May 2027 could have an impact on the adoption date of LDP3, especially if there is any delay in the timetable. Monitoring & Delivery Whilst the adoption of a plan is a significant milestone, it is not the end point. Monitoring will form a feedback loop, providing data that will be needed for the evidence gathering for amendment of the plan, or the next LDP and – in line with the aspiration to achieve a delivery focussed system – focus will turn to facilitating development that supports the spatial strategy, in particular developments that are proposals of the plan. A key component of this is the Delivery Programme, which we are required to adopt and publish a within 3 months of the LDP being constituted. A draft Delivery Programme will be published alongside the Proposed Plan in December 2025.
Page 13
9 Participation Statement The Participation Statement forms an important part of the Development Plan Scheme and sets out when consultation is likely to take place, with whom and its likely form, including the steps to be taken to involve the public in the preparation of the local development plan. To inform this Participation Statement we published an Engagement Survey seeking views on how we should publicise LDP3 and its engagement opportunities; how people would like to be involved in LDP3 and how we could reach more people to involve them in the local development plan process. Throughout the preparation of LDP3 we will develop and tailor our approach to engagement and seek to ensure it is effective and update our Participation Statement on an annual basis as part of the Development Plan Scheme. We would welcome comments on how the Participation Statement can be improved to allow interested stakeholders to have a say in how they can be most effectively involved. When engagement will take place: We will engage and consult with stakeholders throughout the preparation of LDP3. In line with our proposed timetable and the key stages, there are five distinct opportunities for engagement: 1) Early Engagement – complete The aim of this stage was to increase awareness and understanding of the LDP process amongst stakeholders and to gather information from communities on the needs and aspirations for the places in which they live over the next 10-20 years. Up to August 2024, we sought responses to the ‘Your Place’ survey, based on the well-established Place Standand, via our online hub. 2) Place Profiles & Evidence Report – ongoing We have published ‘Place Profiles’ for each locality in North Ayrshire setting out key baseline information, summarising early engagement to that point and reflecting on the outcomes of other recent and current community engagement initiatives. Comments on these profiles are welcomed to sense check the information that will make up our Evidence Report and inform LDP3 and to highlight any information gaps. 3) Call for Ideas – Q1 2025/26 To support the preparation of a Proposed Plan, we will carry out a ‘Call for Ideas’. This will be an invitation open to everyone to propose ideas for any aspect of the new local development plan. 4) Proposed Plan engagement – Q2 2025/26
Page 14
10 At the point where were we are drafting the Proposed Plan we will engage with stakeholders to seek their views on proposals, including those submitted at the ‘Call for Ideas’ stage, before they are included in the plan. 5) Proposed Plan consultation – Q4 2025/26 Once Council has approved the Proposed Plan it will be published to allow any representations from stakeholders, including the general public, which seek to make changes to the plan for a period of at least 12 weeks. Who engagement will take place with: We want to ensure that everyone – either as an individual or on behalf of a group, organisation, body or company – with an interest in North Ayrshire as a place to live, work or visit is involved in the preparation of LDP3. Identified stakeholders include: • North Ayrshire residents • Elected Members, MPs & MSPs • Children and young people • Community Bodies, including Community Councils • Locality Planning Partnerships • Other Community and Interest Groups, including the Third Sector • Landowners and Developers • Business and Industry • Key Agencies (Nature Scot, SEPA, Scottish Water, Scottish Enterprise, Historic Environment Scotland, SPT, Scottish Forestry, the Crofting Commission, NHS Ayrshire & Arran, and Transport Scotland) • Infrastructure providers • North Ayrshire Council Departments How engagement will take place: We want to make it as easy as possible for everyone with an interest to engage in the preparation of LDP3. Responses to the Engagement Survey have expressed support for: • In-person exhibitions: drop-in events at convenient times and in convenient locations for communities • Online exhibitions: material hosted online to provide information • Workshops: interactive session to facilitate community (both in-person and online) • Online resources: using social media and an online hub to gather views and enable the submission of comments. • Tailored resources: bespoke resources tailored to particular groups which make it easier to participate. In the first instance, we welcome the opportunity to speak to both individuals and groups to understand the method of engagement that works best for them.
Page 15
11 Finally, in accordance with Planning Circular 2/2021, we will consider opportunities to use mediation as a means of exploring, resolving or reducing disagreement in the preparation of LDP3. Mediation is one of a range of techniques sometimes labelled as ‘alternative dispute resolution (ADR)’ which can include facilitation, conciliation and arbitration as well as mediation. These techniques can be used to help to resolve issues of dispute. Whether facilitated by an independent third-party or not, there may be scope to use mediation to resolve differences and build support for proposals through discussion and negotiation prior to the publication of the Proposed Plan. Mediation is a voluntary process; no stakeholders in the process of preparing LDP3 will be required to enter into mediation.
Page 16
12 Local Place Plans The Planning (Scotland) Act 2019 introduces a new right for communities to produce Local Place Plans (LPPs). The aim of LPPs is to enhance engagement in development planning by empowering communities to play a proactive role in defining the future of their places by setting out their proposals for the use and development of land. In preparing a Local Development Plan, planning authorities must take into account registered Local Place Plans. Secondary legislation to govern the implementation of LPPs came into force in January 2022 and Planning circular 1/2022 provides further guidance on their preparation. On 19 May 2023, in accordance with Section 15A of the Town and Country Planning (Scotland) Act 1997 as amended by the Planning (Scotland) Act 2019 we published an invitation to community bodies in North Ayrshire to prepare a local place plan. Community bodies that intend to prepare a local place plan were encouraged to submit a ‘notice of intention to prepare a local place plan’ by completing the notice of intention online form. To date, two Local Place Plans have been registered: • West Kilbride, Seamill and Portencross Local Place Plan. Submitted by West Kilbride Community Council and registered 24 January 2024: • Steventston Local Place Plan. Submitted by Stevenston Community Council. Registered 28 August 2024 View the Local Place Plan Register. Four further community bodies have expressed an interest in preparing a local place plan: Cumbrae Community Council, Largs Community Council, Fairlie Community Council and Skelmorlie Environment Trust. Community groups across the Garnock Valley are also coming together to produce a plan for community action and public services and facilities, supported by North Ayrshire Council and a specialist team. We have supported and worked with community bodies develop Local Place Plans to maximise their potential to inform LDP3. A Handbook setting out local guidance and the support available to local communities to prepare local place plans was shared with bodies expressing their intention to prepare a local place plan in April 2024. In line with the amended timetable for the preparation of LDP3 set out in this Development Plan Scheme, it is proposed to extend the deadline for submission of Local Place Plans from November 2024 to March 2025.
Page 17
13 Impact Assessments A number of different assessments must be undertaken to support the preparation of LDP3. These assessments are an integral part of the plan making process and should inform and be informed by the plan as it is prepared. They are: • Equalities Impact Assessment; • Public Sector Equality Duty Assessment; • Fairer Scotland Duty Assessment; • Island Communities Impact Assessment, • Strategic Environmental Assessment; and • Habitats Regulations Appraisal • Transport Assessment Further detail on these assessments is included at Annex C of the Local Development Planning Guidance. Preparation of the Evidence Report provides the opportunity to align with the Scoping stage of the Strategic Environmental Assessment, the collection of environmental baseline and engagement with the Consultation Authorities. A Scoping Report will be published alongside the Evidence Report in December 2024. All assessments will be published in draft alongside the Proposed Plan in December 2025 and revised and updated as required.