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Aberdeenshire Local Development Plan 2029

We have started work on the next Local Development Plan (LDP) which is expected to be published in early 2029 and cover the period between 2029 and 2039.

Find out about what LDPs and other development plans are.

How we are preparing this plan

This plan is prepared with the updated guidance on local development planning published by the Scottish Government to support reforms made in the Planning (Scotland) Act 2019.

Details of the plan preparation timetable, and the engagement happening between 2023 and 2025 is provided in the Development Plan Scheme.

To help you better understand our ongoing work and the processes, view a high level explanation of how LDPs are prepared and delivered. 

Current work

Our initial work is focussing on preparing an Evidence Report. This report consists of a collection of 33 topic papers on planning themes that are set out by the Scottish Government. These topic papers will support creation of the Proposed LDP which we will publish in 2025.

Have your say on topic papers

Interested parties can comment on the topic papers and dispute the conclusions. Any disputes that can't be resolved will be referred to a gate check examination by the Scottish Government's Directorate of Planning and Environmental Appeals. This is to make sure that the process is fair and transparent.

The papers are in different stages of preparation, with some available for public comments or at a finalised stage. 

To have your say, please view open papers and make a comment on the LDP consultation hub.

Below is a list of all topic papers:

  • Biodiversity and tackling the nature crisis
  • Blue and Green Infrastructure
  • Brownfield, Vacant and Derelict Land and Empty Buildings
  • Business and Industry
  • City, Town, Local and Commercial Centres
  • Climate mitigation and adaptation
  • Coastal Development
  • Community Wealth Building
  • Culture and Creativity
  • Design, Quality and Place
  • Digital Infrastructure
  • Energy
  • Flood Risk and Water Management
  • Forestry, Woodland and Trees
  • Green Belts
  • Health and Safety
  • Heat and Cooling
  • Historic Assets and Places
  • Infrastructure First
  • Lived in experience
  • Local Living and 20 Minute Neighbourhoods
  • Minerals
  • Natural Places
  • Plan Outcomes
  • Play, Recreation and Sport
  • Quality Homes
  • Retail
  • Rural Development
  • Soils
  • Stakeholder Involvement
  • Sustainable Transport
  • Tackling the climate crisis
  • Tourism
  • Zero Waste

Alongside all the individual topic papers, we will also produce the following reports to accompany the evidence report:

  • Strategic Environmental Assessment
  • Strategic Flood Risk Assessment
  • Transport Appraisal
  • Health Impact Assessment

Updates on progress

You can stay up to date by viewing our regular newsletters on the Local Development Plan progress.

You can also subscribe to LDP email updates by emailing us. View LDP email subscription privacy notice (PDF 83.2KB).