A formal consultation on the Proposed Local Development Plan 3 (LDP3) will start at the end of September
A long-term plan which sets out potential future developments across East Renfrewshire has been published by the council for public consultation.
The Proposed Local Development Plan 3 (LDP3) outlines the council’s land use strategy for East Renfrewshire, which will support future growth and expansion across the area between 2027 and 2037.
Following agreement by council on Wednesday 9 September to move to the next stage of the Proposed LDP3 process, residents, businesses and communities will now have an opportunity to shape the final plan when public consultation opens at the end of the month.
The core role of the Proposed LDP3 is identifying land for the homes, recreation and employment opportunities required to meet the needs of East Renfrewshire residents over the next 10 years. The plan places emphasis on providing the essential infrastructure, open spaces and amenities to support these needs. The Proposed LDP3 also maintains a focus on protecting nature, increasing biodiversity and reducing carbon emissions.
The Scottish Government has identified a minimum number of homes that must be provided in East Renfrewshire to meet housing needs. This means that LDP3 must include sites capable of being developed for at least 3,100 new homes over the course of the 10-year plan. The sites proposed have been carefully considered to ensure that the homes that local people need will be built, including smaller homes for first time buyers and downsizers and affordable homes. LDP3 will also deliver land for new employment opportunities and support town centre improvements and regeneration.
To deliver on these ambitions and meet these needs, four proposed growth areas have been identified in Barrhead, Busby, Clarkston, Eaglesham - with these areas being the focus for housing and infrastructure expansion. Other developments for Newton Mearns, Neilston and Uplawmoor are also set out within the plan.
The growth areas have been identified following assessment of existing infrastructure capacity. In line with national guidance, the proposed housing developments will be phased over the 10-year period, to ensure the required education, healthcare, green infrastructure, active travel and local amenities are delivered alongside development.
In addition, the plan also proposes increasing the affordable housing requirement, which must form an integral part of any housing development, from 25% to 30%. This will help deliver more affordable homes across East Renfrewshire, supporting local people who are struggling to access housing and responding to the area’s housing emergency.
Council Leader Owen O’Donnell said: “This is a major milestone in delivering on our legal obligations to the Scottish Government to adopt a new LDP3 to guide future development across East Renfrewshire over the next 10 years.
“The proposed plan builds on more than two years of evidence gathering, technical assessment, engagement and collaboration. And now we want to hear feedback from residents to help shape the final proposals to be submitted to the Scottish Government for approval. It’s important all parts of the community are represented and have their say. We want to know what residents like about the proposals, as well as any concerns or alternatives that people want to put forward for consideration.
“LDP3 seeks to provide a wider choice of homes to meet changing needs, including affordable homes, family homes, homes for smaller households, and accessible and adaptable homes. This will help provide more choice for people at different stages of life, including those wishing to downsize while remaining within their community. At the heart of the plan is an infrastructure-first approach, as it’s vital we create communities which are sustainable and provide the amenities people need to thrive, flourish and live well - the foundations of our A Place to Grow vision.’