As part of the agreement, South Lanarkshire Council’s planning committee approved a consultation and engagement exercise to assist in the preparation of the second South Lanarkshire Local Development Plan (SLLDP2) and a call for sites which could be considered for development.

The current Local Development Plan and associated statutory supplementary guidance was adopted in June 2015.

This plan has formed the basis of the council’s decisions relating to new development proposals throughout the area. The policies in the plan have also reflected the council’s desire that developments should promote the growth and regeneration of South Lanarkshire by seeking sustainable development within an improved urban and rural environment.

However, local authorities are required to prepare new development plans every five years, which means that early preparatory work is beginning just now.

The first stage in preparation of the SLLDP2 is consultation with Community Councils, local communities, stakeholders and developers.

Councillor Hugh Dunsmuir, the chair of the council’s planning committee, said: “We are pleased to start the initial process for consultation for the new local development plan and to approve the South Lanarkshire Development Plan Scheme for 2016.

“This document will now be sent to the Scottish Government. The council is committed to ensuring widespread public awareness as the plan progresses and to seeking the views of a wide range of interested parties.”