Developer Requirements for Housing
Proposed Burghead Conservation Area
The Council produces supplementary guidance to that contained in the Development Plan on a number of policy matters. The guidance has been through public consultation and therefore constitutes a material consideration in the planning application process.
Developer Requirements for Housing
The Developer Requirements for Housing consolidates and expands on all of the Local Plan policies that will be used when considering applications for housing developments (over 5 units). It advises applicants, developers, landowners what will be required of them in terms of the layouts and designs they submit, in order to comply with policies, with the objective of attaining a high standard of development on the ground.
Burghead Conservation Area
On 9th February 2010, the Planning & Regulatory Services Committee approved the designation of a conservation area in Burghead. A plan of the conservation area boundary can be viewed here.
Burghead Conservation Area Appraisal, which identifies the objectives and principles of the designation at the harbour/promontory area will be a material consideration in the determination of planning applications. The aforementioned documents are also available to view during normal opening hours at the Moray Council Headquarters, High Street, Elgin, IV30 1BX and Burghead Library, 16 Grant Street, Burghead, IV30 5EU.
The principal effect of the designation is that the area included within the boundary of the Conservation Area is now subject to greater planning controls to protect its character. For example, the demolition of a building within the Conservation Area will require prior consent from the Planning Authority as will the felling, topping, lopping or uprooting of any tree. Some alterations to properties will also require consent, such as the painting, stone cleaning and recladding of an external wall and work to roof finishes. Advice on what will require consent can be obtained by contacting the Planning Authority.
It is the duty of the Planning Authority to pay special attention to the desirability of preserving or enhancing the character or appearance of the Conservation Area when dealing with planning applications. Details of the policies that affect Conservation Areas are contained within the adopted Moray Local Plan 2008.
Have Your Say on Planning Guidance for Housing in the Countryside
A public consultation is being carried out by the Moray Council on draft supplementary planning guidance for proposals for housing in the countryside. The consultation begins on Monday 16th November and ends on Thursday 24th December 2009.
Once approved, the supplementary guidance will be used to help determine all planning applications for new houses and renovations and conversions of existing houses in the countryside. The document supplements the Moray Local Plan policies and provides guidance on the siting, location and design aspects of housing in a rural environment.
The draft supplementary guidance is also available to view at local libraries, access points and the Council Headquarters, Elgin. All comments must be submitted by Thursday 24th December 2009.
Following the end of the consultation period, all comments will be collated, considered and reported to the Planning & Regulatory Committee in 2010.
Urban Design Guide DRAFT
Moray Council has prepared a Draft Urban Design Guide for consultation purposes. The aim of this Guide is to promote good practice in the design and layout of new developments, and reflects the Scottish Government’s policy of encouraging attractive, lively and well connected places.
The consultation period will end on 22nd January 2010, and all comments must be submitted by this date. All representations will be reported to the Planning and Regulatory Services Committee for consideration, prior to formal approval and adoption. The Guide will become a "material consideration" when assessing planning applications.
Any comments should be submitted to
Gary Templeton Department of Environmental Services, Moray Council, High Street, Elgin IV30 1BX or e mail gary.templeton@moray.gov.uk
Development Briefs
The Council has prepared Development Briefs for sites in Cullen, Findochty and Portknockie. Each of these sites is designated for residential use in the Moray Local Plan 2008.
The Briefs provide details of how the site should be developed, including technical requirements on road access and other servicing, landscaping and layout matters. Their preparation involved a consultation period, following which amendments were made to draft versions.
They now have the status of Supplementary Planning Guidance, and will be used as material considerations when planning applications are being assessed.
The Council is currently working with partners to develop an Open Space Strategy, as required under SPP11: Open Space and Physical Activity (November 2007). The Strategy process needs to include an audit of open space in Moray's settlements, comprising site assessments and public consultation, in order to meet the statutory requirement.
Trees and Development Supplementary Planning Guidance
The Council has produced Trees and Development Supplementary Planning Guidance to:
Guide developers and members of the public as to how to fulfil the requirements for a tree survey, which needs to accompany certain planning applications under Policy E3 in the Moray Local Plan 2008.
Advise developers and members of the public as to the Council’s tree replacement planting requirements for protected trees or trees identified for removal/replacement in a planting scheme.
Raise general awareness of and provide advice as to what needs to be done to comply with other tree protection measures/guidance (e.g. TPOs, Conservation Areas, Planning conditions, Forestry Licence)
A brochure summarising the key requirements and advice in the new Trees SPG can be found here.
Supplementary information has been produced on ‘Native Trees – Characteristics, Tolerances & Suitability’ to support the replacement planting element of the Trees SPG.
Website references/Further research
For further information or queries please contact: Gary Templeton, Principal Planning Officer, Planning & Development, The Moray Council, Council Office, High Street, Elgin, IV30 1BX Tel: 01343 563470 or email: gary.templeton@moray.gov.uk
The Council's Environmental Services and Community Services Departments have produced this Supplementary Planning Guidance. It sets out the Council's procedures for providing affordable housing and the mechanisms for securing such housing. Affordable Housing (This link opens in a new window)
The Moray Council has published Forestry Guidance and maps - Strategy Map, Existing Woodland Map and New Woodland Map, in accordance with National Planning Policy Guidance. The Guidance identifies preferred search areas within which forestry may be suitable subject to the detailed consideration.
In 1996 The Moray Council adopted an Environmental Charter following on from a round of public consultation. The adoption of the charter was identified as one of the Local Agenda 21 objectives.