Planning Circular 2/2008: statutory guidance on strategic development planning authorities

INTRODUCTION

1. The Planning etc. (Scotland) Act 2006 provides for the removal of structure plans and the creation of strategic development plans ( SDPs). The Act gives Scottish Ministers powers to designate Strategic Development Planning Authorities ( SDPAs), which are groups of planning authorities working together to prepare these plans.

2. This circular constitutes guidance, issued under Section 4(7) of the 2006 Act, setting out how planning authorities should work together to prepare strategic development plans. It is intended to sit alongside the forthcoming development planning regulations and accompanying circular, which will set out the process for preparing a SDP and requirements as to their form and content, and also further non-statutory advice. Once published, these documents will be available to view on the Scottish Government's Planning Homepage at http://www.scotland.gov.uk/Planning.