Local Place Plans are community-led plans that outline local priorities for development and use of land. These will help influence the next Local Development Plan (LDP), which will set out Borders-wide land use proposals and planning policies, helping to guide future development and inform planning decisions.

Councillor Simon Mountford, executive member for Planning and Community Assets, said: “The creation of a Local Place Plan has many benefits for a community. They can help identify potential local community-led projects, support bids for funding and highlight development opportunities.

“Some of those already prepared by communities across the Borders are ambitious and show real vision for what could be achieved through partnership work, funding and community input.

“I’d encourage other communities to start work now to ensure that the views and ambitions of local residents and businesses are captured and help shape our next Local Development Plan. A variety of support is available from the council and others to those creating Local Place Plans, including templates, technical support and funding for consultancy and small expenses.”

A new Local Development Plan is expected to be adopted by the council in summer 2030. To allow time for Local Place Plans to go through the validation and registration processes and be considered within the next LDP, they need to be submitted by the end of September 2027.

To date, nine Local Place Plans have been validated and registered in the Borders, including plans for Hawick, Peebles, Smailholm and West Linton.