The Statutory Development Plan

The Stirling Development Plan

The Statutory Development Plan for the Stirling Council Planning Authority Area comprises the adopted National Planning Framework on 4 February 2023 (NPF4), and the Stirling Local Development Plan, October 2018 (LDP) and its supplementary guidance.

When determining planning applications the Council is legally required to have regard to the statutory development plan. As National Planning Framework 4 and Stirling Local Development policies now form the development plan, all the policies are to be read and applied as a whole.

If you submit an application for planning permission, we’ll use the development plan, and any relevant material considerations to assess it and make a decision on whether or not it can go ahead.

In determining an application for planning permission, the Council is legally required to consider whether provisions in the Stirling Local Development Plan are incompatible with provisions of National Planning Framework 4. For more information on how this will be considered in decision-making, and how it may affect your proposal, please refer to the Council’s Customer Guidance Note: The Application of Development Plan Policy in the Assessment of Planning Applications, February 2023.

What is National Planning Framework 4?

National Planning Framework 4 is a national spatial strategy for Scotland. It sets out national spatial principles, regional priorities, national developments and national planning policy.

NPF4 is a product of extensive engagement and collaboration, including 3 rounds of consultation: the Call for Ideas (2020), the Position Statement (2020) and Draft NPF4 (2021).

Further information about NPF4 can be found on the Scottish Government’s Transforming Planning website.

National Panning Framework 4 documents

Adopted National Planning Framework 4, February 2023

What is a local development plan?

A local development plan is an official planning document that sets out policies and proposals for development and the management and use of land and helps to ensure that development and use of land is used in the long-term interests of the public

All Scottish local authorities must have a local development plan. Stirling Council adopted its current plan, which is our second, on 8 October 2018.

What our Local Development Plan covers

The Stirling Local Development Plan:

includes our policies and proposals for development and land use in the full council area, apart from the Loch Lomond and The Trossachs National Park
helps us to guide developments to the most appropriate locations, and makes sure our built and natural environment is protected
sets out how we will provide new or improved community facilities, including roads, schools and parks

Local Development Plan documents

For detailed information on the Stirling Local Development Plan and our programme of actions, read the official plan documents.

Stirling Local Development Plan 2018

Settlement statements and proposals maps, Ardeonaig to Gargunnock

Settlement statements and proposals maps, Keltie Bridge to Throsk, plus rural

Stirling Local Development Plan environmental report

Stirling Local Development Plan action programme 2020

Planning guidance associated with the Local Development Plan

As part of the Stirling Local Development Plan, we’ve also produced detailed planning guidance available here.

Proposal documents

We produced these documents during the development of the current plan, and to help us to get agreement on its final form. However, they’re listed here for reference only, and should not be used to guide activity.