Local Development Plan 3 (LDP3)

We have started preparing a new Local Development plan for our area – South Lanarkshire Local Development Plan (LDP3) – which will replace LDP2 when adopted. Together with National Planning Framework 4 it will form the statutory development plan for South Lanarkshire. It will set out the planning policies and proposals for the use and development of land for the next 10 years.

The plan will set out how our places will look in the future including where new homes and workplaces could be built and the areas that will be protected. There will be a strong emphasis on improving the quality of places and addressing the challenges of climate change and the protection and enhancement of biodiversity.

Details of the timetable for preparing the plan and the consultation and engagement we will carry out can be found in the Development Plan Scheme and Participation Statement 2024-25.

Evidence Report

The first stage of LDP3 focuses on the preparation of an Evidence Report. This will involve a collection of reports on different themes bringing together data and information and the results of our engagement. The evidence we gather will be used to support the development of our proposed LDP3.

We have begun preparing topic papers which we will publish below for comment once they are finalised. This will allow you to tell us if we have missed any evidence or if our assessment of the data needs to be changed or updated. We will summarise any responses we receive in the Evidence Report.

Topic papers on the following subjects will be linked once available:

1. Tackling the climate and nature crises and climate mitigation and adaptation
2. Biodiversity, natural places, soils, forestry, trees and woodland
3. Historic places and assets
4. Green belts
5. Brownfield, vacant and derelict land and empty buildings
6. Energy and heat and cooling
7. Zero waste
8. Sustainable transport
9. Design, quality and place
10. Local living and 20 minute neighbourhoods
11. Quality homes
12. Rural homes
13. Infrastructure first and digital infrastructure
14. Blue and green infrastructure, aquaculture and play, recreation and sport
15. Flood risk and water management
16. Health and safety
17. Economic development (business and industry and community wealth building)
18. City, town, commercial and local centres and retail
19. Rural development
20. Tourism and culture and creativity
21. Minerals

Once approved the Evidence Report will be submitted to the Scottish Government for what is called a Gatecheck. This will involve a Reporter from the Directorate of Planning and Environmental Appeals reviewing the evidence and deciding if it is sufficient to start preparation of the proposed LDP3.

Please send any comments to LocalPlan@southlanarkshire.gov.uk no later than Friday 26 July 2025. 

Potential development sites - Expressions of interest

As well as seeking comments on the content of the Topic Papers, the council are keen to establish, at an early stage, what sites landowners, developers or others may be considering promoting through LDP3. This dialogue can assist in shaping LDP3’s Spatial Strategy, potentially highlighting issues such as infrastructure capacity, cumulative impacts and consideration of current or future designations which may need to be addressed in advance of development.

There is no requirement for any great level of detail at this stage, simply a site boundary and general indication of proposed or preferred uses. There is also no deadline for submitting Expressions of Interest for development sites, although we would encourage you to make the council aware of them as early as possible.

If sites go on to be promoted for LDP3 they will require to be accompanied by a completed Site Assessment form which will be approved along with the Evidence Report. These will not be required, and should not be submitted, until after the Evidence Report passes the Gatecheck stage (early 2026). A draft Site Assessment form will be available here soon which gives an idea of the type and detail of information the council will expect as sites are progressed.