Evidence Report

We have formally submitted its Evidence Report for North Lanarkshire Local Development Plan 2 (NLLDP2) to the Scottish Ministers in accordance with Section 16B of the Town and Country Planning (Scotland) Act 1997 (as amended). 

Under this legislation, planning authorities are required to prepare and submit an Evidence Report before preparing a new Local Development Plan. The report is then subject to independent assessment by a Reporter appointed by the Scottish Ministers.

The Evidence Report represents the first formal stage in the preparation of North Lanarkshire Local Development Plan 2. It brings together the council's evidence base, engagement findings and assessment of the key matters that will influence the future planning and development of North Lanarkshire.

The draft Evidence Report was approved by North Lanarkshire Council on 2 April 2026, in accordance with the statutory requirement that a planning authority must approve its proposed Evidence Report before it is submitted to the Scottish Ministers. 

Following council approval, the Evidence Report was submitted to the Scottish Ministers on 19 June 2026 for independent assessment.

The legislation requires the appointed Reporter to consider whether the Evidence Report contains sufficient information to enable the preparation of a Local Development Plan. Following assessment, the Reporter will either confirm that the report provides a sufficient basis for plan preparation or identify any further work that may be required. 

The submission can be viewed on the Scottish Government Department of Planning and Environmental Appeals website.