draft report - Scottish Crofting Federation

4.5. Comhairle nan Eilean Siar Structure Plan/Local Plan
Eilean Siar has a generally permissive position on development in the countryside;
Development proposals outwith settlements and townships will only be supported when the proposal does
not result in excessive additional public expenditure for site servicing and:
i) a specific locational need has been demonstrated; or
ii) it is for the sustainable development of a natural resource; or
iii) it involves sympathetic renovation or replacement of an existing building; or
iv) it avoids a significant detrimental effect on natural and built heritage resources;
v) it can be supported in exceptional circumstances, because of the social and economic benefits arising
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Developments on croft land will be supported where the proposals do not: affect the character or viability of
the township, or adversely affect neighbouring uses.
The Comhairle will work with local communities, landowners, grazings committees and other agencies to
identify additional land suitable for housing, particularly in areas of identified need. The need to safeguard
land for crofting activities and other types of development will be taken into account 41
The Comhairle will seek a quota of 25% on all sites of 15 houses or more, smaller development quotas will
be set through discussion with housing agencies. The plan also allocates some sites specifically for
affordable housing, including a site on common grazings at Eoligarry in Barra.
4.6. Shetland Structure Plan/ Local Plan
The pattern of development in Shetland favours a permissive policy of housing in the countryside and the
Structure Plan highlights the move of national planning policy to a more permissive policy. The policy
pursued by Shetland establishes zones for housing development:
Zone1 development is actively encouraged, subject to the general requirements being met.
Zone 2 is settled countryside in the rural areas generally away from Lerwick, where communities are fragile
and the population static or falling. In this zone development is favourably considered. However,
proposals to develop on the best agricultural land will be discouraged.
Zone 3 is settled countryside mainly close to Lerwick, where development will be favourably considered
where it strengthens and reinforces existing building groups.
Zone 4 is the sparsely populated or generally uninhabited areas where development is strictly controlled.
This is open countryside; government policy is not to permit development here. The zone policy permits
the building of new houses in exceptional cases, for agricultural or social support. 42
The local plan does not contain a specific policy on Affordable Housing or quotas for allocated sites.
Houses on Crofting Land Rural Housing Service 2007
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