Item 6 - Appendix 1
West Dunbartonshire Council · 5 August 2026
Back to Planning Committee — 5 August 2026 and its agenda
Text extracted from the council's PDF. Layout and reading order may differ from the original.
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Unmarked West Dunbartonshire Local Development Plan (LDP3) Development Plan Scheme and Participation Statement 2026 ITEM 6 - APPENDIX 1
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Unmarked CONTENTS Introduction 1 Current Local Development Plan Status 2 Local Development Plan 3 4 Participation Statement 11
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1 Unmarked INTRODUCTION The development plan scheme sets out what development plans are currently in place in West Dunbartonshire and provides an estimated timeline for the preparation of a new local development plan for the West Dunbartonshire planning authority area. It includes a participation statement which sets out how the planning authority (part of the Council) will involve communities and stakeholders in the preparation of the new Local Development Plan. What is the development plan? The purpose of a development plan is to manage development and the use of land. A development plan is a statutory plan used by local planning authorities to make decisions about what development takes in place and how land us used in the authority area. There are two main parts of the Development Plan. The first is the National Planning Framework. This is prepared by The Scottish Government, who formally adopted the Fourth National Planning Framework (NPF4) in February 2023. NPF4 sets a National Spatial Strategy for Scotland to 2045 identifying areas and types of development that are of national importance (National Developments) along with regional spatial priorities for five broad regions of Scotland. It also contains a set of policies used by planning authorities to make planning decisions (National Planning Policy).i The second part of the Development Plan is the Local Development Plan, prepared by planning authorities. A Local Development Plan sets out how places will change, importantly identifying where and what development should and should not happen. It is a more detailed and specific plan for a local area which identifies infrastructure needs, allocates land for development, or for protection from inappropriate development. Local Development Plans can also contain policies which add greater detail or local context to policies in NPF4 or to address issues not addressed by NPF4.
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2 Unmarked CURRENT LOCAL DEVELOPMENT PLAN STATUS Current Development Plans and Planning Guidance covering West Dunbartonshire The West Dunbartonshire Council area is covered by two different planning authorities. The West Dunbartonshire Council Planning Authority area covers all of West Dunbartonshire except for the area within the Loch Lomond and the Trossachs National Park, for which the Park Authority is the planning authority (see Figure 1). The Park Authority prepares its own Local Development Plan and Development Plan Scheme and Participation Statement. ii Figure 1: Local Development Plan areas in West Dunbartonshire
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3 Unmarked West Dunbartonshire’s Development Plan consists of NPF4 and the West Dunbartonshire Local Plan (2010). In addition, the Council also uses the Proposed West Dunbartonshire Local Development Plan (2020, as modified) as a material consideration in planning decisions, however as it was not adopted it is not a part of the statutory Development Plan. On 15 March 2023, the Planning Committee took a decision that the Council would not adopt Local Development Plan 2. The Proposed Local Development Plan 2 (LDP2), incorporating the recommended modifications of the Examination Report received on 22 April 2020, which were accepted by the Planning Committee of 19 August 2020, remains the Council’s most up to date spatial strategy and is therefore afforded significant weight in the assessment and determination of planning applications, subject to compatibility with NPF4. The Scottish Ministers’ Direction relating to the adoption of LDP2, dated 18 December 2020, is also a material consideration. The Council has a number of planning guidance documents relating to specific topics or places. These do not form part of the development plan but do form part of the decision-making process for planning applications when relevant. A list of current planning guidance documents is set out in Appendix 1. West Dunbartonshire Council’s current development plan and planning guidance documents can be viewed on the Council’s website. iii
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4 Unmarked LOCAL DEVELOPMENT PLAN 3 The Council has commenced preparation of a new Local Development Plan (LDP3). LDP3 will be a ‘new style’ Local Development Plan, with a 10-year plan period. Following changes introduced by the Planning (Scotland) Act 2019, LDP3 will look different to previous local development plans. It will concentrate on place, put people and communities at the centre of its preparation and its content, and be more delivery focused. The plan preparation process will also be different. The National Planning Framework (NPF4) now contains the detailed policy framework that was previously set out in old style local development plans. New style local development plans are expected to be place-based, people-centred and delivery- focused, hence the move from a 5-year plan period to a 10-year plan period. With regard to format, this means that local development plans are expected to be place-based, visual plans with the inclusion of a clear spatial strategy, and a collection of maps, development briefs and masterplans, instead of lengthy written text and policy. Plans are to be prepared collaboratively with communities and other stakeholders, with people with protected characteristics given particular support to engage in the plan preparation process. The preparation of the new Plan will follow statutory processes set out in the 2019 Planning Act and associated Regulations and Guidance. The key stages are: Development Plan Scheme including Participation Statement – this document is produced annually and acts as a communication tool for letting stakeholders know when and how they can get involved in the local development plan process keep them informed of progress. It sets out the timetable for the preparation of the local development plan and what is involved at each stage of the process. The Participation Statement part of the document sets out how stakeholders are to be involved in the preparation of the local development plan. It is to include targeted methods to reach under- represented groups, help to make public participation inclusive, ensure that wider public engagement directly feeds into the preparation of the local development plan, and promote proactive engagement at all stages of the plan’s preparation. Evidence Report – the purpose of the Evidence Report is to support the quality and effectiveness of the Local Development Plan. Its aim is to gather and use evidence to clearly inform what to plan for before the Proposed Plan looks at where development should take place. Stakeholders’ views are to be sought when preparing the Evidence Report.
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5 Unmarked Gate Check – the assessment of the Evidence Report by a Directorate and Environmental Appeals Reporter is known as the Gate Check. The Reporter can decide that there is sufficient information, and the planning authority can move to prepare its Proposed Plan, or the Reporter may consider there is not sufficient information and provide recommendations for improving the Evidence Report. The Gate Check also provides an opportunity for the Reporter to consider and attempt to resolve disputes that may exist about the evidence submitted. The aim of the Gate Check is to reduce the level of debate at the Examination stage of the plan preparation process and make for a better evidence-led plan. Proposed Plan – the Proposed Plan identifies where new development should take place and where it should not and articulates the ambitions and priorities for the future development of the Plan area. The preparation of the Proposed Plan is to be informed by community engagement and a wide range of other policy and strategy documents. The Proposed Plan is published for consultation. It is at this stage that representations can be submitted on the specific topics and proposals of the plan, for example on green belt, built heritage and proposed development sites. Proposed Plans can be modified following the consultation stage. Delivery Programme – the Delivery Programme sets out how an authority proposes to implement its Local Development Plan. A proposed Delivery Programme must be published with the Proposed Plan. The Delivery Programme is a corporate document, which can influence the authority’s financial investments, and support delivery of the Plan’s policies and proposals to achieve Council priorities. It is to be reviewed and renewed at least every two years. Examination – the Examination is the opportunity for independent consideration on any issues raised during the formal consultation on the Proposed Plan that have not been resolved through modifications. The Examination will be undertaken by a Reporter from the Directorate of Planning and Environmental Appeals. The Examination will consider unresolved issues following consultation on the Proposed Plan and also the consultation and involvement of the public in the preparation of the Plan. Following the Examination, the Reporter will prepare a report setting out reasons for their conclusions and recommendations, including modifications to the Plan. Adoption – adoption is the final stage in the preparation of the Plan and occurs after the Council has received and considered the Examination report and any recommendations and modifications it proposes. The estimated timetable for the preparation of the new Local Development Plan is set out below. Legislation requires this to be set out in financial year quarters, but the Council has included estimated months to ease understanding of the timetable. This timetable differs from last year's Development Plan Scheme and allows for an extra 6 months for the
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6 Unmarked publication of the Evidence Report and Submission to allow for further preparation time. The estimated timetable for the preparation of Local Development Plan 3 is set out in Table 1 below. Legislation requires this to be set out in financial year quarters, being: • Quarter 1: April-June • Quarter 2: July-September • Quarter 3: October-December • Quarter 4: January to March Table 1 also includes estimated months to ease understanding of the timetable. This timetable differs from last year’s Development Plan Scheme and allows for an extra 6 months for the publication of the Evidence Report and Submission to allow for further preparation time. Table 1: Local Development Plan (LDP3) timetable Key LDP3 Milestones Estimated latest date Publication of Development Plan Scheme and Participation Statement Quarter 2 2026/27 (August 2026) Publication of Evidence Report and submission for Gate Check Quarter 4 2026/27 (March 2027) Call for Sites and Ideas Quarter 1 2027/28 (May 2027) Publication of Proposed Plan and Draft Delivery Programme for consultation Quarter 4 2027/28 (February 2028) Submission of Proposed Plan to the Scottish Ministers for Examination Quarter 3 2028/29 (October 2028) Expected adoption of Local Development Plan Quarter 2 2029/30 (August 2029)
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7 Unmarked Supporting Information The preparation of the new Local Development Plan will be supported and informed by a number of assessment documents that will be concurrently prepared. These are: Equalities Impact Assessment - The public sector equality duty stems from the Equality Act 2010 and places a duty on all public authorities to: eliminate discrimination, harassment and victimisation; advance equality of opportunity; and foster good relationships with people who share protected characteristics and those who do not. This assessment will outline how the council will meet this duty through the preparation and content of the Local Development Plan. Protected characteristics are age, disability, gender reassignment, sex (including pregnancy and maternity), race, religion and belief, and sexual orientation. The Equalities Impact Assessment will help the Council consider the effects of the plans proposals on different groups and meet the public sector equality duty. The assessment will also consider the potential effects on human rights. Fairer Scotland Duty Assessment - The Fairer Scotland Duty aims to ensure the public sector makes policy decisions to deliver fairer socio-economic outcomes. This assessment will help the council make a plan which contributes to reducing socio-economic inequality and deprivation. Strategic Environmental Assessment - The Strategic Environmental Assessment is a requirement of the Environmental Assessment (Scotland) Act 2005. Its purpose is to help the Council understand the potential environmental impacts of the plan and take steps to avoid, mitigate or reduce significant adverse environmental effects, where possible, or enhance positive ones. This will also help the Council to understand the environmental context of the area and consider how the plan can achieve better environmental outcomes. Child Rights and Wellbeing Impact Assessment - The Child Rights and Wellbeing Impact Assessment will help the council consider the plans effect on the rights and wellbeing of children and whether they are protected and advanced. Habitat Regulations Appraisal - The Habitat Regulation Appraisal is a requirement of The Conservation (Natural Habitats, &c.) Regulations 1994. Its purpose is to identify if the plan will be capable of having adverse effects on European sites, alone, or in combination with other plans. This will help the council identify impacts on internationally important habitat and take steps to avoid these impacts.
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8 Unmarked Other Plans, Guidance and Strategies The Planning (Scotland) Act 2019 introduced the requirement for a number of other plan and strategy documents to inform and improve the planning system in Scotland. These are: Local Place Plans – these are community-led plans focused on the development and use of land in the area covered by the Plan. West Dunbartonshire Council have issued an invitation to communities to prepare Local Place Plans and set out what assistance the Council can offer with their preparation. Once prepared, the Council will validate Local Place Plans prepared in accordance with the 2019 Planning Act and take them into consideration when preparing Local Development Plan 3. Additional information on Local Place Plans and an ‘Easy Read’ guide can be found at: https://www.west-dunbarton.gov.uk/council/key-council-documents/local-development-planning/local-place-plans/. Regional Spatial Strategies – these are to be produced by a planning authority, or jointly by a group of planning authorities, and will set out a long-term spatial strategy in respect of the strategic development of the area it covers. The West Dunbartonshire planning authority area is likely to be included within a Regional Spatial Strategy covering the Glasgow City-Region area.
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9 Unmarked Local Place Plans and Regional Spatial Strategies will not be part of the Development Plan but will inform the content of the Local Development Plan. Planning Guidance – The Council may prepare non-statutory planning guidance to provide additional and detailed guidance on certain matters, for example on a specific topic or relating to a specific place. Open Space Strategy – planning authorities are required to prepare a strategy setting out a strategic framework of policies and proposals for the development, maintenance and use of green infrastructure, including open spaces and green networks. The strategy is to contain an audit of existing open space provision and an assessment of current and future requirements. The Council will consult on the findings of its audit and the Open Space Strategy.
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10 Unmarked Play Sufficiency Assessment – planning authorities are required to assess the sufficiency of play opportunities for children in preparing the Evidence Report for the Local Development Plan. The Council will consult on its Play Sufficiency Assessment.
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11 Unmarked PARTICIPATION STATEMENT Engagement The Scottish Government intends the preparation of the Local Development Plan to be a collaborative process. Local Development Plans are expected to be place based, people centred and delivery focused. The involvement of all stakeholders within the planning process will be required to achieve this, including: • local communities’ • services within the Council’ • service providers, infrastructure providers and government agencies outside of the council (sometimes referred to as Key Agencies)’ • businesses and other organisations; and • developers and land and property owners. The Participation Statement sets out how we will achieve this by identifying who we will involve, how we will keep them informed, how they will be included, what methods we will use to include people, and when engagement will take place. Who we will involve Legislation requires planning authorities to involve the public at large in preparing a Local Development Plan, however there are also specific groups that planning authorities need to include, which are: • children and young people • people with disabilities • Gypsies and Travellers • Community Councils
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12 Unmarked There are other groups that guidance states should be given support to engage with the Local Development Plan process including people with protected, as well as people from a range of socio-economic background. Children and Young People There will be three main ways we will include children and young people (under the age of 25). We will seek to engage with: • the Youth Parliament Representatives for the West Dunbartonshire Planning Area; • the West Dunbartonshire Youth Council; and • schools (including early education, primary, secondary, and special needs schools). We will also reach out to known youth groups in the area and ask if they are interested in engaging in the Local Development Plan process. People with disabilities There are a number of existing disability groups known to the Council that we will reach out to and request their input to the Local Development Plan process. We will also consider the barriers to engaging with people with disabilities and how to overcome them, to provide opportunities to fully engage. This will include providing information in an accessible format. Gypsy/Travellers Communities We will approach existing contacts we have for Gypsy and Traveller communities to discuss their needs. Community Councils We will use existing channels of communications to contact active community councils. In areas where there are no active Community Council’s we will seek the views of other active community groups in these areas.
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13 Unmarked How we will keep you informed We will keep the public up to date by publishing regular updates on the plan preparation milestones listed in the Local Development Plan Scheme. Updates will be published to the Council website, posted on social media, and circulated via a newsletter for those who wish to sign up to this. Some stages of plan preparation require us to advertise in local newspapers, including: • inviting communities to make Local Place Plans; • publishing the Proposed Local Development Plan; • advertise the examination of the Local Development Plan; • publishing a report of modifications to the Plan; and • the adoption of the Local Development Plan. We will make key documents available in libraries at the appropriate times, including the Evidence Report and Proposed Local Development Plan. How we will involve and collaborate with you We will use a variety of methods to engage with specific groups as well as the public at large. We will hold public consultations to collect ideas for and views on proposals within the Local Development Plan, using online survey tools and public events. A survey of the Citizens Panel will collect information about places across West Dunbartonshire. Information about the Citizen’s Panel, including how to get involved, can be found here: Citizens Panel West Dunbartonshire Council (west-dunbarton.gov.uk) We will hold a ‘Call for Ideas’ consultation for communities, developers and landowners to identify sites for development and preservation, as well as other proposals for inclusion in the Local Development Plan. We will work directly with Community Councils and other local community groups to identify key issues and opportunities for their local area, and to work together on development briefs and masterplans. One of the most direct ways communities can influence the plan is by making a Local Place Plan. We have invited communities to make Local Place Plans, and we will support communities with this process. The contents of Local Place
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14 Unmarked Plans are decided by their community and once completed and validated are considered when preparing the Local Development Plan. Specific Engagement to inform the Proposed Plan – Call for Ideas and Sites We intend to undertake a ‘Call for Ideas and Sites’ exercise soon after the Gate Check stage. We will also consult stakeholders and the general public on any ideas and sites that are submitted to the Council for consideration. Undertaking a call for ideas and sites exercise after the Gate Check will allow stakeholder views and ideas to be informed by the evidence around what is to be planned for, and to provide detail to support the achievement of the strategic thinking on the authority’s preferred spatial strategy. Any call for ideas is expected to be open to everyone to propose ideas for any aspect of the plan and not limited specifically to suggestions for development sites or types of development e.g. housing. Proposals submitted at the call for ideas and sites stage should support the preparation of the spatial strategy within the Proposed Plan. The tools, materials, and methods we will use to involve you A variety of tools and materials will be used to reach as many people as possible and to reduce barriers to participation as far as possible. The Proposed Plan and associated information will be provided in accessible formats. This will include information published online and physical information left in public places. We will collect ideas and views using the Councils online survey platform ‘Survey 123’. We will use the Place Standard tool where relevant to help us to collect and focus views about a place. The Place Standard asks people to score and comment on different aspects of a place, such as where they live or work. This includes questions about green space, traffic and parking, access to services, and influence over decisions in their place. This will help us to identify the strengths and weaknesses of places in West Dunbartonshire. The tool will be used in a variety of formats, including in online surveys; at meetings with specific groups, community councils, and community organisations; and at consultation events. Different versions of the tool will be used in specific contexts, such as the version for children and young people. Communities making local place plans will be encouraged to make use of the tool. More information on the tool can be found here: https://www.ourplace.scot/ The table below sets out the different stages of the Local Development Plan and, in more detail, the engagement activity that will be undertaken at each future stage, and a summary of the engagement activity to date. It has been informed by the Scottish
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15 Unmarked Government consultation draft guidance on ‘Effective Community Engagement in Local Development Planning’ (May 2023) and is based on the following levels of engagement: inform; consult; involve; collaborate; and empower. Table 2: Local Development Plan (LDP3) engagement activity Local Development Plan Preparation Stage Activity Timescale Engagement Activity Progress at September 2026 Development Plan Scheme Publication of Development Plan Scheme and Participation Statement Updated annually Inform participants (existing and potential) of the publication of the annual Development Plan Scheme Participation Statement. Post Planning Committee approval Publish document on the Council website and make copies of the document available in the Council headquarters and libraries. Include survey questions within document seeking views on format of document and participation techniques. It is intended to publish the 2026 Development Plan Scheme/ Participation Statement in August 2026. It will be published online, emailed to registered participants and made available to view in local libraries. Evidence Gathering - early engagement and data collection Early engagement September 2023 (ongoing) Publish survey/form to allow people and organisations to register their interest in the Local Development Plan process. Ongoing. A survey/form to allow people/organisations to register interest in the Local Development Plan has been published and remains live on the Council’s website.
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16 Unmarked Local Development Plan Preparation Stage Activity Timescale Engagement Activity Progress at September 2026 Meet with Community Councils and other community groups to encourage participation in the Local Development Plan process. Engage with local anchor organisations to fill gaps where there are no community councils or other community organisations currently running. Ongoing. Meetings have been held with 4 community councils (Bonhill and Dalmonach, Dumbarton East and Central, Linnvale and Drumry, and Old Kilpatrick) and community representatives in Dumbarton West. Engage with youth organisations and representatives on the best way to engage children and young people in the Local Development Plan process Ongoing. Meetings have been held with staff within the Communities team to explore the best way of engaging with children and young people. Engage with disability and carers community groups on the best ways to enable participation Meetings have been held with the Council’s Performance and Strategy team to identify appropriate groups to engage with.
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17 Unmarked Local Development Plan Preparation Stage Activity Timescale Engagement Activity Progress at September 2026 Engage Gypsies and Travellers groups on best ways to enable participation. Meeting held with the Dennystoun Forge residents’ group. Contact known community groups/organisations (including those of protected characteristics) and West Dunbartonshire CVS to invite expression of interest in taking part in plan preparation, and for views on how to engage. Ongoing. Inform other Council services and Key Agencies of the proposed Local Development Plan timeline. Ongoing. Evidence Gathering - early engagement and data collection Issue invite to participate in Local Development Plan process September 2023 (ongoing) Inform participants in previous Local Development Plan process of new process and encourage registration and participation. Create online form to enable registration. LDP2 participants informed of new LDP3 process and encouraged to register their interest. Online registration form is live on the council’s website. Establish new Local Development Plan participant database. Participants registered as of September 2025 and database is live. Evidence Gathering - Invite communities to September 2023 (ongoing) Inform community organisations that they are invited to prepare a Invitation to prepare a Local Place Plan issued on 16 October
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18 Unmarked Local Development Plan Preparation Stage Activity Timescale Engagement Activity Progress at September 2026 early engagement and data collection prepare Local Place Plans and support their preparation Local Place Plan, as means to involve communities in the preparation of the Local Development Plan. Empower communities to decide on the content of their Local Place Plans. 2023 to community councils, other community groups and local residents on the participant database. The timeframe for invitations was extended to 30 June 2026. Publish invitation to prepare Local Place Plans on the Council website and social media. Place posters in public buildings. Send direct invitation to groups who may have an interest in preparing a Local Place Plan and promote through West Dunbartonshire CVS. Invitation issued on 16 October 2023, on Council webpage, by email to registered community groups and promoted on X. Advise community organisations of the type of Council support that will be available to them to prepare Local Place Plans. Ongoing. Invitation and webpage advises of support available. Update issued August 2025 with any local place plans to be submitted to the council for validation by the end of June 2026.
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19 Unmarked Local Development Plan Preparation Stage Activity Timescale Engagement Activity Progress at September 2026 Meet with Community Councils and other community organisations to encourage preparation of Local Place Plans. As of August 2026, Old Kilpatrick Community Council, Balloch and Haldane Community Council, and Alexandria Community Council have all prepared a Local Place Plan. The community in Dumbarton West have previously expressed an interest in preparing a local place plan. No other community groups have expressed an intention to prepare a local place plan. Evidence Gathering - early engagement and data collection Preparation of Evidence Report Ongoing >March 2027 Involve participants in the creation of the Evidence Report. Inform participants on how their views were sought and taken into account. Ongoing. Issue a ‘Call for Evidence’ in relation to a range of relevant topics. Where appropriate publish topic papers to support the process of gathering evidence, identifying gaps in evidence, and areas on consensus/difference. If appropriate, form focus groups to inform this process. An audit of available evidence and identified gaps in evidence has been published. A Call for Evidence consultation took place between 8th July to 30th of September 2024 for stakeholders and local communities to provide further information and evidence. 58 responses were received. The
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20 Unmarked Local Development Plan Preparation Stage Activity Timescale Engagement Activity Progress at September 2026 outcome of the call for evidence will be published in due course. Incorporate results of previous engagement exercises where relevant (e.g. Citizens Panel responses, previous planning consultations). Ongoing. Undertake Place Standard consultations to assess place quality and collect ideas for improvement. Distribute to general public online through website and social media. If possible, distribute to Citizens Panel. If requested, hold in-person sessions with community groups. A Place Standard consultation, titled, Tell us About Your Place took place between 8th July to 30th of September 2024. 89 responses were received. Both Tell Us About your place and Call for Evidence consultations were circulated to the Citizens Panel, promoted via social media, press releases, posters, leaflets and email circulation. Three drop-in events were held in Clydebank, Alexandria, and Dumbarton. Results of the consultation will be published in due course. Ongoing. Approximately a quarter of Tell Us About Your Place
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21 Unmarked Local Development Plan Preparation Stage Activity Timescale Engagement Activity Progress at September 2026 respondents declared a disability. The Planning team promoted the consultation at the Council’s Equalities Forum. Engage with children and young people through schools, Youth Council, Youth Parliament, and other young people's organisations. Use children’s/young persons’ versions of Place Standard Tool, where possible, and if this is supported by young persons’ groups. Ongoing. An engagement plan is in place. A meeting with the Youth Advisory Board has taken place with a further meeting planned. Engagement events with school pupils were held in collaboration with the council’s education service in several schools across West Dunbartonshire during the months of August and October 2025. In addition, all education establishments were consulted in relation to the play sufficiency assessment. In addition, community councils were invited to provide views on play sufficiency in their respective areas aswell as surveys being made available on the council’s website for a set period of time
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22 Unmarked Local Development Plan Preparation Stage Activity Timescale Engagement Activity Progress at September 2026 inviting the views of members of the public. Engage people with disabilities, older people and carers through already established groups to identify issues for the Plan and to check and gather evidence. Ongoing. Engage with the Dennystoun Forge resident’s group to gather evidence on the requirement for improved/ additional permanent Gypsy and Traveller accommodation in West Dunbartonshire. Use Housing Services officer to liaise with transient Gypsy and Traveller groups. Discussions ongoing with Dennystoun Forge residents with assistance from Housing services. Seek evidence from Key and Government Agencies, city-region organisations, Health and Social Care Partnership. Key Agencies, city region organisations, and Health and Social Care Partnership were engaged through the Call for Evidence. Joint working is continuing as the evidence report is prepared. Seek evidence from business and developer stakeholders through Homes for Scotland and individual development interests
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23 Unmarked Local Development Plan Preparation Stage Activity Timescale Engagement Activity Progress at September 2026 umbrella organisations such as Homes for Scotland, Scottish Property Federation and Chamber of Commerce, and also with individual businesses/developers where requested. responded to the Call for Evidence consultation. Engagement with other organisations is ongoing. Undertake a collaborative approach to developing site assessment methodology with input from Key Agencies, development industry and communities. Homes for Scotland and some Key Agencies have provided views on site assessment methodologies. Production of a methodology is ongoing, Seek evidence from local interest groups for example local built/natural heritage groups, equestrian groups, ramblers/walkers. A number of local interest groups provided responses to the Call for Evidence. The Planning team is also involved with the Councils Biodiversity Partnership. Evidence Gathering – Evidence Report Publication of Evidence Report and submission to Scottish Minister for Gate Check March 2027 Inform of publication of Evidence Report through website, social media and direct communication with registered participants. Publish document on the Council website and make copies of the document available in the Council headquarters and libraries.
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24 Unmarked Local Development Plan Preparation Stage Activity Timescale Engagement Activity Progress at September 2026 Evidence Gathering – Gate Check Gate Check March 2027 The person appointed to undertake the Gate Check may consult with certain stakeholders either in writing or through a hearing. Plan Preparation – Proposed Plan Preparation of Proposed Local Development Plan and Draft Delivery Programme May 2027>February 2028 Involve and collaborate with participants in the preparation of the Proposed Local Development Plan. Undertake a ‘Call for Ideas and Sites’ consultation. Promote this through an online survey, making use of mapping tools if available, and face-to-face events with community councils and other community groups. The ‘Call for Ideas and Sites’ will also provide land and property owners and the development industry the opportunity to suggest sites for development. Consult on submissions for consideration. Hold discussions with groups that have prepared or are preparing Local Place Plans to consider how
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25 Unmarked Local Development Plan Preparation Stage Activity Timescale Engagement Activity Progress at September 2026 the Proposed plan can deliver or reflect the content and aspirations of Local Place Plans. Develop masterplans and site briefs with communities, developers, landowners and key agencies and share potential content of the Proposed Plan as it becomes available allowing participants the chance to influence it before it is formally published in the Proposed Plan. Identify potential areas of conflict and make use of mediation if this is likely to help resolve or reduce dispute between different parties. Liaise with organisations who will be identified for the delivery of actions set out in the Draft Delivery Programme. Plan Preparation - Consultation Consultation on Proposed Local Development Plan and Draft February 2028> April 2028 Inform participants of the publication of the Proposed Local Development Plan and Draft Delivery Programme and consult with them on its content.
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26 Unmarked Local Development Plan Preparation Stage Activity Timescale Engagement Activity Progress at September 2026 Delivery Programme Publish notice in local newspaper and on Council website informing that the Proposed Plan and Draft Delivery Programme has been published. Publish documents on the Council website and make copies of the document available in the Council headquarters and libraries. Notify the owner, lessee or occupiers of sites and neighbouring land that may be affected by development proposals set out in the Plan. Meet with Community Councils and other community organisations to encourage participation in the Proposed Local Development Plan consultation process. Plan Preparation - Consultation Modify Proposed Local Development Plan following consultation May 2028> September 2028 Inform communities of modifications made in response to representations made on the Proposed Plan.
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27 Unmarked Local Development Plan Preparation Stage Activity Timescale Engagement Activity Progress at September 2026 Plan Preparation - Examination Preparation of ‘Summary of Unresolved Issues’’ May 2028> September 2028 Although there is no formal engagement at this stage of the process, the Council may make use of mediation if this is likely to help resolve or reduce dispute between different parties. Plan Preparation - Examination Submission of Proposed Local Development Plan for Examination October 2028 Inform anyone who made representations on the Proposed Plan about the upcoming Examination and also advertise the Examination in a local newspaper, in local public libraries, and on Council website and social media. Plan Preparation - Examination Examination October 2028 > May 2029 The person appointed to undertake the Examination may consult with stakeholders to seek further information on a submitted representation. The appointed person will publish the Examination Report and notify anyone who made an unresolved representation. Delivery – Adopted Plan August 2029 Inform participants of the adoption of the Local Development Plan.
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28 Unmarked Local Development Plan Preparation Stage Activity Timescale Engagement Activity Progress at September 2026 Adopt the Local Development Plan Publish the adopted Local Development Plan on the Council website and make copies available in local public libraries. Notify participants, including those who made a representation on the Proposed Local Development Plan or Examination. Place an advertisement in a local newspaper stating where the adopted Plan can be viewed. Delivery - Delivery Programme Publish the Delivery Programme November 2029 Inform participants of the publication of the Delivery Programme. Publish the Delivery Programme on the Council website and make copies available in local public libraries. Delivery - Monitoring and Delivery Publish information on monitoring and delivery Post November 2029 Publish an updated Delivery Programme at least every two years and make available on Council website and local public libraries. Publish annual land use survey information on Council website.
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29 Unmarked i https://www.gov.scot/publications/national-planning-framework-4/ ii https://www.lochlomond-trossachs.org/planning/planning-guidance/. iii Development Plan | West Dunbartonshire Council (west-dunbarton.gov.uk)