The Act – Section by Section Part 2 – Development Plans Development plan schemes and action programmes
34.New section 20B sets out how and when planning authorities are to prepare development plan schemes. Subsections (1) and (2) require a scheme to be prepared by each planning authority for each plan whenever required to do so by the Scottish Ministers or within a year of last preparing a plan. Subsections (3) and (4) explain what a scheme is, and that it should include a participation statement (stating when and with whom consultation is likely to take place and its likely form, and the steps taken to involve the public at large). Subsection (5) sets out the requirement for publishing the scheme. Under subsection (7), the form and content and procedures for the preparation of a plan may be set out in regulations.
35.New section 21 covers the preparation of action programmes for strategic and local development plans. Subsection (1), (2) and (4) state that an action programme will be prepared for each strategic development plan and each local development plan and published at the same time as each proposed strategic and local development plan. Subsection (3) sets out a duty to consult. Subsection (3)(a) requires key agencies to be consulted, and subsection (5) requires them to co-operate with the planning authority in the preparation of any programme. Subsection (6) explains what an action programme is, and subsection (7) provides that the form and content and procedures for the preparation of an action programme may be set out in regulations. Subsection (8) gives the authority 3 months after approval or adoption of the SDP or LDP to finalise the action programme for each plan. Subsection (9) requires the authority to keep the action programme under review, and to publish it when required to do so by the Scottish Ministers, and otherwise at least every 2 years.