Shetland Islands Council

Introduction

A New Structure Plan for Shetland

1.1 Shetland Islands Council has a statutory duty to prepare a Structure Plan Written Statement (i.e. a long-term strategic plan for Shetland); a Report of Survey (the information upon which the Structure Plan policies are based) and a Local Plan (detailed land use policies for Shetland). These documents are collectively known as the Development Plan for Shetland. The Development Plan helps to regulate the development and use of land in the public interest. There is a presumption in favour of development that is in accordance with the adopted Development Plan. Planning permission can only be refused where there are sound reasons for refusal. The Structure Plan is for Shetland as a whole, it looks at least 15 years ahead and is the long-term strategy for the development and use of land. The Plan must always be up-to-date, so it is kept constantly under review, and revised (in part or entirely) at intervals of around five years.

1.2 The basic role of the Structure Plan is to balance the need for development and infrastructure against protection for the built and the natural environment and the interests of established communities. In other words the Structure Plan sets out the principles for the way land is to be used. It does not however identify specific sites for development or include policies that are not directly related to the use of land. Structure Plans are also needed to achieve consistent and coherent development and make an important contribution to sustainable development. They set out key strategic policies as a framework for the Shetland wide Local Plan and decisions on individual planning applications.

Concept of the Shetland Structure Plan

1.3 Shetland Islands Council is currently producing a Structure Plan with a horizon date of 2016, to replace the previous Plan that was adopted in 1980. This new Structure Plan is intended to provide a positive vision and development strategy for Shetland that follows the principles of clarity, brevity and precision. It tackles only those topics that are regarded as strategically significant for Shetland and does not stray into matters properly dealt with by the Local Plan. The Structure Plan will also reflect the corporate aspirations of the Council and seek to establish effective partnerships with the key agencies, the private sector and the local community to bring about its successful implementation.

Other Plans

1.4 The Structure Plan is one of several strategies influencing Shetland's future. Some of these are developed at European or national level, whilst others are locally determined. Diagram 1.1 (on page 4) attempts to illustrate the range of strategies and policies that shape the Islands' future development.

1.5 The Structure Plan charts the way forward for the development and use of land. Other plans take different perspectives. For example, the Council has adopted a Local Transport Strategy and an Arts Policy. It is committed also to developing a Social Inclusion Strategy and an integrated Economic Development Strategy.

1.6 The Council will also take the leading role in the development of a Community Plan for Shetland, which will co-ordinate the strategies of all the agencies and organisations with which the Council works in partnership. At the same time, the Council is expected to promote sustainable development in Shetland. One way is through the preparation of a Local Agenda 21 strategy. The Community Planning and Local Agenda 21 processes differ in some respects, for example, the period of time that the plan is expected to cover, but they do have some elements in common.

Diagram 1.1

1.7 Accordingly, the Structure Plan must not only set out a strategy that is coherent in land-use terms, it must also take account of the land-use implications of all the other strategies to which the Council is committed. Unlike some of the other strategies, it has to do these things within a statutorily-prescribed framework.

Background

1.8 Past experience in the preparation of Structure and Local Plans has shown that in many cases the local implications of strategic decisions and policies were not fully understood or recognised when decisions were taken. In an effort to make the whole concept of Development Planning through the Structure and Local Plan process more easily understood, the Council agreed that Working Papers on key topics should be prepared.

1.9 In the Working Papers subjects were researched and analysed in detail. Issues were then identified and discussed, then both strategic and local policies were proposed. Extensive public consultation was undertaken at intervals throughout the preparation of each Working Paper. The aim of this approach was to ensure that interested parties were consulted on the subjects that are of particular concern to them. It also ensured that consultees were not overloaded with information on topics that were of no direct interest to them. For ease of use the principal findings from the Working Papers have been drawn together to form the Structure Plan Report of Survey.

1.10 The topics covered by Working Papers are: Aggregates, Commercial Development, Distribution of Development (including human activity and environmental resources), Energy and Community Facilities. In addition to the above and in response to comments received, topics of strategic significance have been identified and appropriate policies formulated and included in the Structure Plan.

The principal advantages of the adopted approach are that:

• the implications of strategic policy can be appreciated at the local level, by considering topics at both the strategic and local levels within the same document
• councillors, consultees and the public are encouraged to debate issues in detail, topic by topic, rather than on a more superficial basis as part of a more complex document
• the Working Papers provide an in-depth study of the particular topic

1.11 The Structure Plan Written Statement is a short, focused and easy-to-use document, written in plain English. Account is taken of Government guidance and advice throughout the Plan. However, the Written Statement does not make reference directly to it. The technical details, including references to relevant National Planning Policy Guidance (NPPGs) and Planning Advice Notes (PANs), are available, for those who require them, in the Report of Survey and in greater depth in the Working Papers themselves. To aid clarity, key partners and the various strategies that will influence the implementation of the Structure Plan have been identified in each of the relevant topic chapters. It needs to be noted, however, that these lists are by no means exhaustive and others may be added as the consultative draft is finalised.

The Way Forward

1.12 Adopting a development strategy which has the support of the Shetland community is central to the success of the Development Plan (i.e. the Structure and Local Plan) and the long-term future of Shetland. After the Scottish Ministers have approved the Structure Plan, the draft Local Plan containing policies and the District Maps for each Community Council area will be published for consultation. The Local Plan policies must conform to the overall strategic policies and vision set out in the Structure Plan.