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Development Management Guidance
These are documents approved by the Council to guide the determination of planning applications. Unlike Supplementary Guidance, they don't require public consultation before approval, but they're still a material consideration when we assess planning applications.
Related resources
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Siting and Design of Housing in Orkney Countryside
This document contains Orkney Islands Council’s guide to siting and designing houses in the countryside, published in June 2000. It explains how to choose locations, work with slopes and existing landscape features, and avoid prominent or suburban development. It also covers house size, shape, proportions, windows, roofs, materials, outbuildings and boundaries, encouraging simple modern designs that respect Orkney’s rural character and traditional buildings.
Please be aware that this summary has been generated using AI.
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OOSS Vision and Action Plan
This document contains Orkney’s vision and action plan for protecting and improving open spaces. It uses an audit of five main settlements to identify needs and set out priorities for Kirkwall, Stromness, Dounby, St Margaret’s Hope, Finstown, and other communities. The plan covers access, play areas, walking and cycling links, health, biodiversity, flood management, and community involvement, with actions, partners, timescales, and monitoring measures.
Please be aware that this summary has been generated using AI.
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Kirkwall Conservation Area Appraisal
This document contains Orkney Islands Council’s 2013 appraisal of Kirkwall Conservation Area, prepared to support its management and guide the preservation and enhancement of the town’s built heritage. It explains Kirkwall’s development from prehistoric and Norse settlement to the present day, and identifies archaeological sensitivities, buildings, streets, views and traditions. Detailed assessments cover five character areas: the Harbour, Burgh and Midtown, St Magnus, Laverock and East Kirkwall, including their strengths, issues, repair needs and opportunities for improvement.
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Papdale Conservation Statement
This document contains a history and assessment of Papdale House and its former farm buildings in Kirkwall, including their architecture, condition, landscape and links to the Laing family and agricultural improvement in Orkney. It records the site’s changes from the early 19th century to 2013, including restoration, demolition and later neglect. It also sets out guidance for conserving the historic buildings, improving the landscape and courtyard, removing unsuitable structures and designing new development that respects the site’s character.
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Business Development Outwith Town Centres
This document contains guidance on business development outside Kirkwall and Stromness town centres, including retail, professional services, industry and tourism accommodation. It explains how National Planning Framework 4 and the Orkney Local Development Plan apply to proposals in the countryside and within settlements. Small-scale businesses may be supported where they reuse existing buildings or land, diversify rural businesses, meet local needs and fit their surroundings, while larger or high-footfall uses should generally remain in town centres or designated areas.
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Considering and Including Biodiversity in Development
This document contains guidance for considering and including biodiversity in most planning applications in Orkney, following National Planning Framework 4. It explains how to assess a site, avoid or reduce harm, and conserve, restore and enhance habitats through development design. It includes Orkney-suitable biodiversity measures, advice on less effective options, and a quick reference table showing wider benefits such as water management. Worked and blank biodiversity forms are provided for applicants to complete and submit with planning applications.
Please be aware that this summary has been generated using AI.
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Wind Energy Noise Assessment Definitions
This document contains guidance from Orkney Islands Council on definitions used in noise assessments for wind energy developments. It explains which homes, hotels, institutions and short-term accommodation count as noise-sensitive locations. It also defines financial involvement, where a developer controls and benefits from an existing turbine and can change or stop its operation to protect nearby users.
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Housing in the Countryside
This document contains interim guidance on housing in the countryside, explaining how National Planning Framework 4 Policy 17 (Rural Homes) works alongside the Orkney Local Development Plan 2017 while the plan is being reviewed. It compares the policies and finds they broadly support the same types of development, including new homes linked to rural businesses, conversions, replacements and farm succession homes. It also explains why the Council can continue to support small infill homes within existing countryside housing groups, despite this not being stated clearly in Policy 17.
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Interim Spatial Strategy
This document contains Orkney Islands Council’s interim planning guidance on how to interpret National Planning Framework 4 alongside the Orkney Local Development Plan 2017, until the Proposed Plan is published. It draws on recent housing assessments and strategies, which indicate that the current spatial strategy provides enough housing land for at least five years. It sets out three areas—settlements, countryside and the islands—and explains how these match national categories when planning applications are assessed.
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Aquaculture Water Quality Impact Modelling Assessment for Scapa Flow (Approved 2018)
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Development Management Guidance: Energy (Approved 2 July 2019)
This document contains a report recommending approval of Orkney Islands Council’s Development Management Guidance on Energy, prepared after the 2019 climate change emergency declaration. It explains how planning applications for renewable and low-carbon energy projects should balance benefits, such as jobs, renewable power and support for the Orkney interconnector, against environmental and landscape effects. It also clarifies how larger wind turbines, including those over 125 metres, should be assessed. An equality assessment found no likely differential impacts.
Please be aware that this summary has been generated using AI.