The Scottish Government requires local authorities to identify sufficient land for future housing, business and industry needs. The ‘Call for Sites’ process is being used to help the council to achieve this.

Over the next six months, landowners and developers with potential sites may submit them for inclusion in the next Local Development Plan (LDP). When finalised, the LDP will guide planning policy in Shetland for the next ten years including the identification of suitable land for future housing growth, as part of the Local Housing Strategy.

Having sufficient land for future developments will also help to ensure that new sites will have appropriate infrastructure investment, such as roads, schools and transport links. It is hoped that by taking a strategic view on land use, there will be a reduction in the number of planning applications in future for unplanned ‘windfall’ developments.

The council has identified ‘Preferred Areas for Growth’ for housing development, where suitable sites are sought for the construction of three or more houses. Proximity to community facilities, such as shops, schools and past growth patterns have informed this process. Other areas have also been identified for business and industry development in Lerwick, as well as mixed-use sites in areas outside Lerwick.

Any landowners or developers with areas of land that they think may be suitable are invited to submit their proposals using the council’s online form.

The council will consider submissions and any site taken forward as a preferred option will be allocated for development in the next Local Development Plan. This has the effect of giving the site the status of planning permission in principle, therefore reducing uncertainty for applicants when they apply for planning permission. During the next stage of the Local Development Plan, called the ‘Main Issues Report’, members of the public and other parties will be able to make representations on sites that are identified by the council.

Alastair Cooper, chair of the council’s development committee, said: “This is a really important piece of work for us, so that we can identify land for future development, including new houses and business use. We’re keen to work with the community, and especially with landowners and developers, to map out potential sites and be clear about where development could take place in future.”