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Item 6 - Appendix 1

West Dunbartonshire Council · 6 December 2023
Back to Planning Committee — 6 December 2023 and its agenda

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Page 1

West Dunbartonshire Local
Development Plan (LDP3)
Development Plan Scheme and Participation Statement
December 2023
ITEM 6 - APPENDIX 1

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Development Plan Scheme
Introduction
Thank you for your interest in West Dunbartonshire’s Development Plan.
This Development Plan Scheme explains what a Development Plan is. It sets out what Development Plans are
currently active 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 the community and other stakeholders in the
preparation of the new Local Development Plan.
What is the Development Plan?
The purpose of the planning system is to manage development and the use of land in the long term public interest.
Development and land use in Scotland is “plan led”, making the Development Plan an important document for
decision making. It is a statutory plan used by planning authorities to make decisions about what development takes
place and how land is used in their 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). For
more information, https://www.gov.scot/publications/national-planning-framework-4/
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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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 with the exception of that area within the Loch
Lomond and the Trossachs National Park, for which the Park Authority is the planning authority. The Park Authority
prepares its own Local Development Plan and Development Plan Scheme which you can read more about at
https://www.lochlomond-trossachs.org/planning/planning-guidance/.
Figure 1: Local Development Plan areas in West Dunbartonshire 
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, but as it was not adopted it is not a part of the statutory Development
Plan.
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 application when
relevant. A list of current planning guidance documents is set out in Appendix 1.

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To view West Dunbartonshire Council’s current development plan and planning guidance documents, visit: Development
Plan | West Dunbartonshire Council (west-dunbarton.gov.uk)
Preparing a new Local Development Plan
The Council has commenced preparation of a new Local Development Plan. This will be a ‘new style’ Local
Development Plan, which will be prepared differently and have a different format, following changes introduced by
the Planning (Scotland) Act 2019. 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. 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 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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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 made 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.

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The estimated timetable for the preparation of the new Local Development Plan is set out below. Legislation
requires for this to be set out in financial year quarters but the Council has included estimated months to ease
understanding of the timetable.
Table 1: Local Development Plan (LDP3) timeline 
Action Estimated date
Publication of finalised
Development Plan Scheme and
Participation Statement
Quarter 3, 2023/24
(December 2023)
Publication of Evidence Report
and submission for Gate Check
Quarter 3, 2024/25
(December 2024)
Publication of Proposed Plan
and Draft Delivery Programme
Quarter 4, 2025/26
(January 2026)
Submission of Proposed Plan to
the Scottish Ministers for
Examination
Quarter 3, 2026/27
(October 2026)
Expected adoption of Local
Development Plan
Quarter 2, 2027/28
(September 2027)
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.

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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. 
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 will issue an invitation to communities to prepare Local
Place Plans and will set out what assistance the Council can offer with their preparation. Once prepared, the
Council will validate properly-prepared Local Place Plans and take them into account when preparing the Local
Development Plan. Additional information on Local Place Plans can be found at https://www.west-
dunbarton.gov.uk/council/key-council-documents/local-development-planning/local-place-plans/. The Council is
preparing a Local Place Plans ‘How-to’ guide targeted at West Dunbartonshire communities. It will be available
by March 2024.
Regional Spatial Strategies – 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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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. 
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. 
(As at December 2023, West Dunbartonshire Council has almost completed the initial open space audit including
the noting of locations of play opportunities.)
Forestry and Woodland Strategy – planning authorities are to prepare a strategy which identifies woodlands
of high nature conservation, and sets policies and proposals for the development of forestry and woodland, and
the protection, enhancement and expansion of woodlands. The Council will consult on its Forestry and Woodland
Strategy.

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Participation Statement 
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 include, 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 include 
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 (those under the age of 25);
• people with disabilities;
• Gypsies and Travellers; and
• Community Councils 
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.

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Children and Young People
There will be three main ways we will include children and young people. We
will:
• engage with the Youth Parliament Representatives for the West Dunbartonshire
Planning Area,
• engage with the West Dunbartonshire Youth Council
• engage with 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 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.
Gypsies and Travellers
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 councils we will seek the views of other active community groups in these areas 
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.

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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
• 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 Plans are decided by their community, and once
completed and validated are considered when preparing the Local Development Plan.

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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.
Published information and the proposed plan will be provided in accessible formats. This will include information
published online and in physical information left in public places.
We will collect ideas and views using the Councils online survey platform ‘Survey 123’.
The Place Standard tool will help us to collect and focus views about a place. The Place Standard
asks people to score and provide commentary about 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 context, 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 stage. It has been informed by the Scottish
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.
.

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Table 2: Local Development Plan (LDP3) engagement activity 
Local
Development
Plan
Preparation
Stage
Activity Timescale Engagement Activity Progress at December 2023
Evidence
Gathering -
early
engagement
and data
collection
Publication of
Draft
Development
Plan Scheme
and Participation
Statement
September>
November 2023
Inform participants (existing and
potential) of the publication of the
Draft Development Plan Scheme
Participation Statement and involve
people and organisations by seeking
and having regard to their views on
the document. 
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. 
Publish survey/form to allow people
and organisations to register their
interest in the Local Development
Plan process. 
Meet with Community Councils and
other community organisations to
encourage participation in the Local
Development Plan process and
comments on the Draft Development
Plan Scheme and Participation
Participants notified and
consultation on draft version
held, running from 22
September to 17 November
2023. 
The draft Development Plan
Scheme/Participation
Statement was published on
22 September 2023. It was
published online, emailed to
registered participants and
made available in local
libraries. 
A survey/form to allow
people/organisations to
register interest in the Local
Development Plan has been
published and remains live. 
Ongoing.
Meetings have been held with
4 community councils (Bonhill
and Dalmonach, Dumbarton

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Local
Development
Plan
Preparation
Stage
Activity Timescale Engagement Activity Progress at December 2023
Statement. Engage with local anchor
organisations to fill gaps where there
are no community councils or other
community organisations currently
running. 
Engage with youth organisations and
representatives on the best way to
engage children and young people in
the Local Development Plan process 
Engage with disability and carers
community groups on the best ways
to enable participation 
Engage Gypsies and Travellers
groups on best ways to enable
participation 
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
East and Central, Linnvale and
Drumry, and Old Kilpatrick)
and community
representatives in Dumbarton
West. 
Ongoing.
Meetings have been held with
staff within the Communities
team to explore the best way
of engaging with children and
young people. 
Ongoing.
Meetings have been held with
the Council’s Performance and
Strategy team to identify
appropriate groups to engage
with. 
Meeting held with the
Dennystoun Forge residents’
group. 
Ongoing

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Local
Development
Plan
Preparation
Stage
Activity Timescale Engagement Activity Progress at December 2023
how to engage 
Inform other Council services and Key
Agencies of the proposed Local
Development Plan timeline.
Notified on 22 September
2023.
Evidence
Gathering -
early
engagement
and data
collection
Issue invite to
participate in
Local
Development
Plan process
September 2023 Inform participants in previous Local
Development Plan process of new
process and encourage registration
and participation. Create online form
to enable registration. 
Establish new Local Development
Plan participant database.
LDP2 participants informed of
new LDP3 process and
encouraged to register their
interest. Online registration
form created. 
245 participants registered as
at December 2023.
Evidence
Gathering -
early
engagement
and data
collection
Invite
communities to
prepare Local
Place Plans and
support their
preparation
September 2023
(ongoing)
Inform community organisations that
they are invited to prepare a 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. 
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 to prepare a Local
Place Plan issued on 16
October 2023 to community
councils, other community
groups and local residents on
the participant database. 
Ongoing.
Invitation issued on 16 October
2023, on Council webpage, by
email to registered community
groups and promoted on X.

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Local
Development
Plan
Preparation
Stage
Activity Timescale Engagement Activity Progress at December 2023
Advise community organisations of
the type of Council support that will be
available to them to prepare Local
Place Plans. 
Meet with Community Councils and
other community organisations to
encourage preparation of Local Place
Plans.
Invitation and webpage
advises of support available. 
Ongoing.
As at December 2023, have
met with 4 community councils
and one community action
group.
Evidence
Gathering -
early
engagement
and data
collection
Publication of
finalised
Development
Plan Scheme
and Participation
Statement
December 2023 Inform of publication 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. 
Evidence
Gathering -
early
engagement
and data
collection
Preparation of
Evidence Report
September
2023>November
2024
Involve participants in the creation of
the Evidence Report. Inform
participants on how their views were
sought and taken into account 
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,

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Local
Development
Plan
Preparation
Stage
Activity Timescale Engagement Activity Progress at December 2023
form focus groups to inform this
process. 
Incorporate results of previous
engagement exercises where relevant
(e.g. Citizens Panel responses,
previous planning consultations) 
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. 
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 if this is
supported by young persons’ groups. 
Engage people with disabilities, older
people and carers through already
established groups to identify issues
for the Plan and to check and gather
evidence.

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Local
Development
Plan
Preparation
Stage
Activity Timescale Engagement Activity Progress at December 2023 
Engage with the Dennystoun Forge
residents 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. 
Seek evidence from Key and
Government Agencies, city-region
organisations, Health and Social Care
Partnership. 
Seek evidence from business and
developer stakeholders through
umbrella organisations such as
Homes for Scotland, Scottish
Property Federation and Chamber of
Commerce, and also with individual
businesses/developers where
requested. 
Undertake a collaborative approach to
developing site assessment
methodology with input from Key
Agencies, development industry and
communities.

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Local
Development
Plan
Preparation
Stage
Activity Timescale Engagement Activity Progress at December 2023
Seek evidence from local interest
groups for example local built/natural
heritage groups, equestrian groups,
ramblers/walkers.
Evidence
Gathering –
Evidence Report
Publication of
Evidence Report
and submission
to Scottish
Minister for Gate
Check
December 2024 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. 
Evidence
Gathering –
Gate Check
Gate Check December 2024>
Spring 2025
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
January 2024>
December 2025
Involve and collaborate with
participants in the preparation of the
Proposed Local Development Plan. 
Undertake a ‘Call for Ideas’
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’ will also provide land and
property owners and the development

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Local
Development
Plan
Preparation
Stage
Activity Timescale Engagement Activity Progress at December 2023
industry the opportunity to suggest
sites for development. 
Hold discussions with groups that
have prepared or are preparing Local
Place Plans to consider how 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.

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Local
Development
Plan
Preparation
Stage
Activity Timescale Engagement Activity Progress at December 2023
Plan
Preparation -
Consultation
Consultation on
Proposed Local
Development
Plan and Draft
Delivery
Programme
January 2026>
March 2026
Inform participants of the publication
of the Proposed Local Development
Plan and Draft Delivery Programme
and consult with them on its content. 
Publish notice in local newspaper and
on Council website informing that the
Proposed Local Development 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
April 2026>
October 2026
Inform communities of modifications
made in response to representations
made on the Proposed Plan.

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Local
Development
Plan
Preparation
Stage
Activity Timescale Engagement Activity Progress at December 2023 
Plan following
consultation
Plan
Preparation -
Examination
Preparation of
‘Summary of
Unresolved
Issues’’
April 2026>
October 2026
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 2026 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
2026>June 2027
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
Adopt the Local
Development
Plan
September 2027 Inform participants of the adoption of
the Local Development Plan.

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Local
Development
Plan
Preparation
Stage
Activity Timescale Engagement Activity Progress at December 2023
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
December 2027 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
Ongoing 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.

Page 24

Impact assessments
The preparation of the Local Development Plan is to be supported and informed by a number of assessment documents.
These documents have engagement requirements, which are summarised in the table below which has been lifted from
the consultation draft Scottish Government guidance on Effective Community Engagement in Local Development
Planning. 
Table 3: Local Development Plan (LDP3) impact assessments 
Assessment Level Engagement needs and timing
Strategic
Environmental
Assessment
Inform
Consult
Legal requirement for ‘early and effective’ public engagement. Engagement is focused on the
Environmental Report consultation, but earlier engagement is recommended. 
A Post Adoption Statement is prepared, published and advertised to inform people about how the
assessment findings and comments received on the proposed plan and Environmental Report have
been taken into account.
Habitat
Regulations
Appraisal
Inform No requirement for public engagement. Report to be published at the proposed plan stage to inform
people of the appraisal.
Public Sector
Equality Duty
Assessment
Inform
Involve
The timing of the publication of the assessment could usefully be set out in the Development Plan
Scheme. 
Proportionate involvement is needed throughout the process, from the early preparation stage to its
delivery. 
The planning authority should publish the assessment findings on their website to inform
stakeholders about it.
Legally the results should be published within a reasonable period, and guidance suggests this
should be as soon as possible after the decision to implement (adopt) the policy is taken.
Fairer
Scotland Duty
Assessment
Inform
Involve
It is important to involve relevant communities through the stages of assessment. 
The assessment should be published to inform people about how socio-economic disadvantage is
being considered.

Page 25

Contact and follow us
The Development Planning and Place team can be contacted:
• By e-mail at ldp@west-dunbarton.gov.uk
• By telephone on 0141 951 7930
• In writing to Development Planning & Place team, Planning & Building Standards, 16 Church
Street, Dumbarton, G82 1QL
• You can follow us on Twitter/X - @wdcplanning
• Please register your interest in the Local Development Plan process at:
https://arcg.is/5WeK0

Page 26

Appendix 1 – Planning Guidance and other useful information 
Planning Guidance Other information
LDP2 Planning Guidance 
▪ Antonine Wall, 2022
▪ Clydebank Business Park Planning Guidance, 2023
(Draft)
▪ Creating Places, 2022
▪ Green Network & Green Infrastructure, 2022 
Other Planning Guidance 
▪ Clydebank Town Centre Development Framework, 2021
▪ Commuted Payments for Parking 2015
▪ Dumbarton Waterfront Path Planning Guidance, 2017
▪ Pay Day Lending & Betting Shops, 2016
▪ Renewable Energy, 2016
▪ Queens Quay Design Codes, 2020 
Developer Contributions 
▪ Procedure for monitoring, requesting and allocating
developer contributions (2022)
▪ Allocation of green network developer contributions
(2022) 
Other Useful Information 
▪ Alexandria Streetscape Design Guide, 2007
▪ Alexandria Town Centre Masterplan, 2008
▪ Alexandria Town Centre Masterplan, 2021
▪ Balloch Charrette Report, 2016
▪ Bowling Basin Charrette Report 2014
▪ Clyde Riverside Masterplan, 2000
▪ Clydebank Design Guidelines (Page and Park), 2003
▪ Clydebank Town Centre Charrette report, 2015
▪ Dumbarton Town Centre Public Realm Design Guide,
2001
▪ Dumbarton Town Centre & Waterfront – Revised Urban
Strategy, 2014
▪ Dumbarton Rock & Castle Charrette Report, 2015
▪ Kilpatrick Hills Local Landscape Area: Statement of
Importance, 2015

Page 27

This document is also available in other languages, large print
and audio format on request. 
Arabic 
Hindi 
Punjabi 
Urdu 
Chinese (Cantonese) 
Polish 
British Sign Language 
BSL users can contact us via contactSCOTLAND-BSL, the on-line
British Sign Language interpreting service.   
(  01389 737527 
* West Dunbartonshire Council, 16 Church Street, 
Dumbarton, G82 1QL 
:   communications@west-dunbarton.gov.uk