What is the role of community councils, and can local place plans help influence local development?
Last updated: 2 July 2025
Community councils are voluntary organisations that are set up by local authorities and run by local residents. They must be notified of all planning applications in their area and given the opportunity to comment on them. This means that community councils are statutory consultees and may have a real influence in the determination of planning applications.
The extent to which a community council influences planning decisions is likely to depend on how committed and interested its councillors and supporters are in local planning issues.
Becoming a community councillor or otherwise supporting your community council is an excellent way of becoming involved with local planning issues and decisions. However, do note that not all council wards have community councils; they rely on volunteers so it can be difficult to keep them running.
Local place plans (LPPs) are voluntary community-led plans that set out proposals for the development and use of land within a local area. They were introduced by the Planning (Scotland) Act 2019 with the aim of improving people’s engagement in the planning system. LPPs are prepared by a community-controlled body or a community council. They provide a way for communities to play a proactive role in influencing the future planning of development in their areas.
Planning authorities must invite local communities to prepare LPPs before they prepare their local development plans. Registered LPPs must then be taken into account in the preparation of the planning authority’s local development plan. Read more about the LPP process in planning circular 1/2022 and local development planning guidance produced by the Scottish Government.
Being part of a community body that intends to produce a LPP can provide a great opportunity to help protect and enhance the natural environment in your local area. Take a look at this guidance produced by Planning Aid Scotland (PAS) to find out more – PAS Guide for Community Delivery of Local Place Plans.