Planning and Architecture

Updated evidence in the Local Development Plan (LDP) process

July 9, 2026 by planningarchitecture No Comments | Category SG Planning

Stakeholder workshop

Earlier in the Spring, the Scottish Government hosted a workshop to consider implications of new evidence as LDPs are prepared. It was prompted following the publication of updated household projections (2022 base) by National Registers for Scotland (NRS).

Attendees included representatives from Heads of Planning Scotland, Homes for Scotland, the Improvement Service and Scottish Government, including DPEA. The asks resulting from the workshop were for:

• clarity on key messages to inform action taken on new evidence,
• practical advice and support, rather than more guidance documents, and
• increasing in-person working to build relationships between stakeholders

Key messages

Stakeholders acknowledged that new evidence is not a new thing to the plan making process – evidence will evolve as new information emerges and updated statistics are released. For housing, new information could include the updated household projection information and the refresh of the Housing Need and Demand Assessment (HNDA) tool and guidance. There will be change as plans progress through the stages of preparation, and updated information will relate to a range of areas, for example climate change and flood assumptions.

It was also accepted that the plan making process cannot stop and/or restart each time new information becomes available as this creates delay. There is a drive to accelerate LDP delivery before the May 2028 target date so that there is greater confidence to progress allocated development sites and achieve national and local objectives for communities.

Key to addressing the resulting tension is taking a pragmatic approach of looking at the practical considerations. Whilst there is no single approach that suits all circumstances, following discussion, workshop attendees identified the following to inform action:

• new evidence should be acknowledged and taken account of
•  new evidence can be accounted for at all stages of the LDP making process
• taking into account new evidence does not necessarily mean making changes
• Councils should explain why or why not any changes have been made
• this should be done in a transparent way, for example a concise statement provided to explain the position and to support stakeholder understanding
• this should involve proportionate engagement with stakeholders, for example focussed round table discussions which is recorded, rather than public consultation

Practical advice and support

The National Planning Improvement Champion (NPIC) is developing a programme to support LDP acceleration National Planning Hub. This will include sharing of learning, for example developing case studies from good practice highlighted, and peer support amongst authorities. The Centre for Housing Market Analysis (CHMA) will also take part in webinars with authorities and industry on the refreshed HNDA tool and guidance.

In-person working

Bringing different interests together has reinforced the value of working in-person. Similar to the earlier summit it has enabled the candid and respectful sharing of viewpoints and development of understanding rather than perpetuating defensive positions. This approach has been positively received across interests and we thank those attending the workshop for making the journey and engaging thoughtfully. The LDP support programme will facilitate the delivery of further in-person sessions.

Further information

The slides used at the workshop are available here.

Tags: Local Development Plans

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