Spatial Strategy Options

The purpose of this part of the consultation is to gather feedback on the early ideas for the hierarchy of settlements and the associated development approaches, which will guide decisions about the distribution and scale of growth across the Stirling Local Development Plan area.

This element of the spatial strategy is being consulted on at this stage because it will help inform the site selection process and ensure that future development aligns with the emerging settlement hierarchy and overall strategic direction.

This part of the consultation invites comments on the Spatial Strategy Options Paper, which outlines the initial options for shaping the spatial strategy of the Proposed Local Development Plan. It builds upon the findings contained within the approved Evidence Report – Topic Paper 17 (spatial strategy and policy analysis).

A spatial strategy sets out the direction of future change within an area. Its purpose is to guide development towards locations that help create, shape, and sustain successful, well‑functioning places.

The consultation paper focuses specifically on the settlement hierarchy and the development approaches associated with each level of that hierarchy.

A settlement hierarchy is a way of organising the towns, villages, and communities across the Local Development Plan area based on their size, role, and the services and infrastructure they provide. It helps identify where development is most appropriate and how different places can grow in ways that support sustainable, well‑connected communities. These principles are reflected in the proposed development approaches for each tier of the hierarchy.

Therefore, your views will help shape how the next Local Development Plan directs growth and protects valued places across Stirling. You may have views on the options contained within the paper, suggestion for changing one or more of the options, or alternative options for consideration.

Important things to note about this consultation:

• The paper published as part of this consultation has not been approved at any level of the Council for inclusion in the Proposed Plan and does not have formal planning status. It therefore carries no material weight in the determination of planning applications.
• The options included in this consultation relate only to the Stirling Local Development Plan area and do not relate to any areas within the Loch Lomond & The Trossachs National Park.
• The ideas presented at this early stage are not fixed. Following this consultation, changes may be made - for example, settlements may move within the hierarchy and/or alternative development approaches may be identified that shape future growth.

There will be another opportunity to comment when the Proposed Plan is published – expected in early 2027. At that stage, it will be accompanied by an explanatory report that sets out the reasons why each spatial strategy option has been accepted or rejected.