The Moray Development Plan comprises two distinct aspects:

The Moray Structure Plan

The Moray Structure Plan (36 pages, 253 KB) which sets out the strategic framework for the way in which Moray should develop.

The Moray Local Plan

The Moray Local Plan which converts the Structure Plan proposals to a more local level, and contains specific policies and land use allocations for towns and villages.

The Local Plan is currently under  Review, which was subject of a Public Local Inquiry in November and December 2007.

The Report of the Public Local Inquiry was received by the Council on 2nd July 2008, and will be considered by the Planning and Regulatory Services Committee in August. Committee Report and 3rd Schedule of Modifications are now available.

Objections to the post Inquiry Modifications were considered by the Planning and Development Services Committee on 5th November 2008. It was agreed at this meeting that no further changes to the Plan be made in response to these objections. Consequently it is anticipated that the Moray Local Plan 2008 will be formally adopted as a replacement to the Moray Local Plan 2000, on 12th December 2008.

Emerging Moray Local Plan 2008

The Council has agreed, as from 1 September 2008, to start using the   Emerging Moray Local Plan 2008  as a 'material consideration' to be taken into account in the assessment of planning applications.

The Moray Local Plan 2000 remains the statutory, adopted Plan, but the emerging plan will be used as a valid factor in determining applications. It is anticipated that the new Plan will be formally adopted on 12th December 2008.