Frequently Asked Questions

What is the Local Place Plan?

Through a Local Place Plan, we are asked to MAP WHERE we think future developments for Stonehaven should go. And also what bits of Stonehaven we want to protect.  The detailed description of a Local Place Plan can be found here Aberdeenshire Council - Local Place Plan 

What topics should be covered by the Local Place Plan?

The Local Place Plan should describe the new developments that the community wants.  Though not a complete list, examples of what could be considered as development or use of land which might feature in a Local Place Plan could include things like:

• sites which support climate change adaptation, such as renewable energy or flood mitigation;

• local initiatives for the promotion of active travel and community food growing;

• sites for housing, including for affordable housing, new or retained local employment or new tourism/community facilities;

• retaining, improving, and expanding quality open space and green/blue infrastructure and play facilities;

• conservation of the natural/built environment;

• improvements in the town/neighbourhood centre;

• support for a national development, as featured in the National Planning Framework.

How will the Local Place Plan be used?

The Local Place Plan provides input to Aberdeenshire Council's Local Development Plan, which provides guidance to Aberdeenshire Council when deciding whether to approve or refuse future planning applications.

When completed, the report developed from this survey could form the basis for applications for funding of future developments by demonstrating the strength of public opinion behind an idea.

What is the Local Development Plan?

Aberdeenshire Council’s Local Development Plan identifies land which should be protected, and land which is allocated for development, in particular housing development and land ear-marked for commercial uses.   The current Local Development Plan is valid for 2023 to 2028 and can be found by clicking here Aberdeenshire Council Local Development Plan 2023 

What Local Development Plan will this Local Place Plan support?

The current Local Development Plan expires in 2028.  Aberdeenshire Council Local Development Plan 2023   This Local Place Plan will support the next plan which will run from 2028 to 2038.

How can I get involved?

There are several ways the community can get involved:

• Complete the online questionnaire .  It can be found at this link  Questionnaire

• Attend the community consultations; the dates and locations are shown in the Key Events page on this website.

•  Contact the SDCC team using the email address localplaceplan@gmail.com

• Spread the word on social media

What about my privacy?

We will not ask you for any information that will affect your privacy.  Comments that you make may be published, your opinion matters, but we will not include any information about you as part of that.

I have completed the Stonehaven Town Centre Health Check.  Should I complete the Local Place Plan questionnaire?

These are two differemt studies.  The Town Centre Health Checks are done annually to collect data so that Aberdeenshire Council can monitor the services and facilities being offered in the town centre.  To identify any changes needed, they gather the views of communities and businesses on the Town Centre.

The LPP is the opportunity for the community  to shape the whole of Stonehaven for the next 10 years with proposals for land use and development, not just the town centre and the businesses.  It is a much wider study