The Dumfries and Galloway Council met to discuss and approve an updated evidence report for the Dumfries and Galloway Local Development Plan 3, and to agree on the submission of the draft Local Housing Strategy 2025-2030 to the Scottish Government. The council also noted that there was no other urgent business requiring a decision.

Here's a breakdown of the key topics discussed:

• Dumfries and Galloway Local Development Plan 3 Updated Evidence Report
• Dumfries and Galloway Council's Local Housing Strategy 2025-2030

Dumfries and Galloway Local Development Plan 3 Updated Evidence Report

The council considered an updated Evidence Report for the Dumfries and Galloway Local Development Plan 3 (LDP 3 Report). This followed an earlier submission that was deemed insufficient by Scottish Ministers. The council agreed to:

• Withdraw delegation from the Economy and Infrastructure Committee to allow the full council to make a decision.
• Approve the updated Evidence Report for submission to the Scottish Ministers for Gate Check¹.
• Authorise the Interim Head of Economy and Development to make minor changes to the Evidence Report before submission.
• Share the Evidence Report with Political Group Leaders prior to submitting for Gate Check.

The original Evidence Report had been submitted to Scottish Ministers on 16 January 2025, but was returned with recommendations for improvement. The resubmission focused on addressing the recommendations outlined in the Reporter's report. The Development Planning team engaged with relevant consultees, key agencies and other stakeholders in addressing the comments. The council had already paid £13,387.20 plus VAT for the first Gate Check examination.

The Evidence Report is a summary of baseline data and other information that forms a sound basis for plan preparation. It explains what the evidence means for the plan, drawing on clearly referenced and accessible baseline evidence sources. Its purpose is to inform plan making, justify the plan's content and provide a baseline for later monitoring. The aim of the Report is to frontload the plan-making process and to use the evidence to inform what to plan for before the Proposed Local Development Plan looks at where development should take place. The Evidence Report is a high level document which should not contain sites or detailed policy wording; that is for the Proposed Local Development Plan stage.

The Council Plan 2023-28 outcomes and principles that the Evidence Report reflects and takes account of are:

• Economy
  • There is a diversified and growing local economy that benefits all
  • Rural communities and places are vibrant and thriving
  • Enhancing the region's natural capital benefits local communities and businesses
  • Businesses are supported to start and grow
  • Investment in the region benefits communities and the local economy
• Travel, Connectivity and Infrastructure
  • Communities are protected from the impacts of floods
  • Sustainable travel in the region contributes to net zero
  • Digital connectivity supports thriving rural communities
• Education and Learning
  • Places of learning are inclusive, sustainable and meet the needs of local communities
• Health and Wellbeing
  • People are active, resilient and improving their health and wellbeing
  • People have access to high quality, affordable housing that supports their independence, prosperity and wellbeing

Dumfries and Galloway Council's Local Housing Strategy 2025-2030

The council agreed to submit the draft Local Housing Strategy (LHS) 2025-2030 to the Scottish Government, after removing delegations from the Economy and Infrastructure Committee and Social Work Services Committee. They also:

• Noted the update on the Local Housing Strategy, including consultation work.
• Agreed that leadership arrangements for the Strategic Housing Forum are reviewed by the Tackling Poverty, Inequalities and Housing Sub Committee.
• Noted the agreed Local Housing Strategy Vision and Priorities.
• Agreed the Housing Supply Target for 2025-2035.

The Local Housing Strategy 2025-2030 - Final Report sets out the strategic direction, policies and plans that will enable Dumfries & Galloway Council and partners to deliver high quality housing and housing services to meet the needs of local people across all housing tenures. The LHS also sets out the important contribution that housing makes to enabling economic growth, improving health and wellbeing, creating connected and sustainable places, achieving climate change and tackling poverty across Dumfries & Galloway.

The Housing (Scotland) Act 2001 places a statutory requirement on local authorities to produce a 5 year LHS that sets out its vision, priorities and plans for the delivery of housing and related services.

The agreed LHS vision is:

'Housing enables a growing economy, healthy lives and thriving communities, with the right home in the right place at the right time for everyone'

The five priorities that have also been agreed are:

• Building more homes supports a local economy that creates sustainable communities and places
• Supporting people to live independently in the home and community they choose
• Extending housing options and supporting growth including improvement in the private rented sector
• Achieving affordable warmth in sustainable, energy efficient homes
• Supporting repair, maintenance and improvement in all homes

The annual Housing Supply Target for Dumfries & Galloway has been identified at 460 units per annum with a 45% target for affordable housing (210 units) and a 55% target for market housing (250 units). The Housing Supply Target Methodology Paper sets out how this has been determined.

The LHS Development Conference Outcomes Report summarises the outcomes of the Dumfries & Galloway LHS Conference across the various interactive activities and voting sessions.