On the 14 August 2009, Scottish Ministers informed the Aberdeen City and Shire Strategic Development Planning Authority that they had approved the Aberdeen City and Aberdeenshire (excluding the Cairngorms National Park) Structure Plan 2009, with no modifications. The plan came into force on 17 August 2009, at which time the previous plan North East Scotland Together (NEST) ceased to be part of the development plan for the area. The Exception to this is that part of Aberdeenshire within the Cairngorm National Park where NEST will remain part of the development plan until replaced by a Cairngorm Local Development Plan.

North East Scotland Together (NEST) is the structure plan for Aberdeen and Aberdeenshire. It was formally approved (with modifications) by Scottish Ministers on 21st December 2001.

The plan sets out a strategy for the future use of land over the next 10 to 15 years and provides a long term vision for the development of a sustainable community in the North East. It contains policies on employment land, housing land, the environment and transport and it provides guidance for Aberdeen City and Aberdeenshire Local Plans. The structure plan, together with the local plans, form the development plan for the area. While the structure plan sets down the overall strategy, local plans show precisely which sites are proposed for development.

Monitoring of the plan is undertaken to ensure it remains up to date and relevant to the changing needs of the area.

For further information on structure plans click here