Planning Policy Advice

This document contains supplementary guidance from March 2012 on the design of new development in Orkney’s towns, villages and rural settlements. It sets standards for creating places that reflect local character, provide good access, support walking and cycling, include suitable parking and open space, and are safe and attractive. It also explains when design statements are needed and includes a template and checklist for planning applications.

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This document contains Orkney Islands Council’s 2013 guidance on developer contributions and Good Neighbour Agreements. It explains when developers may need to help fund or provide flood defences, affordable housing, roads, transport, open space, education, libraries, waste services, arts and heritage. It sets out the tests for contributions, how they are agreed and secured, and how costs may be reviewed where development would not be financially viable. It also explains how Good Neighbour Agreements work between developers and local community bodies.

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This document contains a strategic assessment of how much onshore wind energy development Orkney’s landscapes can accommodate, covering turbines of all sizes and the effects of existing, consented and proposed schemes. It assesses landscape character, visual sensitivity, heritage, wildness and cumulative impact, then gives island-by-island guidance on suitable turbine sizes, groupings and spacing. It identifies areas with high, limited or no capacity, locations where cumulative effects limit further development, and a potential strategic area around Flotta, Fara and Lyness. Site-specific proposals still require their own assessment.

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This document contains audit survey data for open spaces across Orkney, including maps, site lists and score breakdowns. It records each space’s access, appearance, biodiversity, recreation, community use and management. Individual surveys describe site features, usage, condition and suggested improvements, using a shared quality scoring system. Additional pages include the survey template and scoring criteria.

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This document contains a survey of 57 open spaces in Kirkwall, including parks, play areas, sports grounds, woodland, coastal paths and civic spaces. It records each site’s ownership, use, facilities, access, condition and value for wildlife and the community. Scores, maps and photographs compare sites and identify possible improvements, such as better paths, planting, play equipment, maintenance, seating and connections between green spaces.

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This document contains an open space survey covering parks, play areas, sports grounds, community spaces, historic sites and school grounds across Orkney. It records each site’s facilities, access, use, landscape, wildlife value and community benefits, with scores for quality and condition. It also identifies possible improvements, including better paths, seating, planting, maintenance, signage and community involvement.

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This document contains supplementary guidance for planning and assessing open spaces across Orkney. It records sites in Kirkwall, Stromness and other communities, classifying them by type, management and use. It provides scores for access, appearance, biodiversity, wellbeing and community benefits, along with detailed criteria for judging each site. It also explains the open space types and mapping codes used.

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This document contains an audit of open spaces across Orkney, with detailed assessments of Kirkwall, Stromness, Dounby, St Margaret’s Hope and Finstown. It records the amount, types, quality and accessibility of parks, play areas, sports grounds, paths and natural spaces, including areas needing improvement. The report summarises consultation feedback, which highlighted the importance of well-maintained play areas, good access and community involvement, and explains how the findings will inform future planning guidance and action.

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This document contains audit survey data for open spaces across Orkney. It includes maps, site score tables and detailed surveys covering access, appearance, biodiversity, recreation, wellbeing and community benefits. Each survey records the condition and use of a space, alongside suggested improvements such as better paths, planting, seating, signs, maintenance and play equipment.

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This document contains an audit of 57 open spaces in Kirkwall, covering 47.39ha. It records each site’s type, ownership, facilities, access, use, landscape and wildlife features, and scores them for accessibility, attractiveness, activity, biodiversity and community benefits. Site surveys, maps and photographs identify strengths, problems and possible improvements, including better paths, planting, play equipment, seating, maintenance and links between green spaces.

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This document contains an open space audit for communities across Orkney, covering parks, play areas, schools, sports grounds, shorelines, gardens, cemeteries and heritage sites. It includes maps, site descriptions, facilities, access, use, visual character, biodiversity and community value. Each site is scored for access, attractiveness, nature, activity and community benefits, with suggested improvements such as better paths, planting, seating, maintenance and community involvement.

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This document contains an audit of open spaces in Stromness, Stronsay, Toab and Whitehall. It records each site’s type, ownership, facilities, access, use, natural features and cultural value, then scores its quality, connections, appearance, biodiversity, recreation and community benefits. The surveys identify strengths and possible improvements, including better paths, planting, play equipment, seating, lighting, signs, maintenance and community involvement.

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This document contains planning advice for managing Orkney’s four urban conservation areas: Kirkwall, Stromness, St Margaret’s Hope and Balfour Village. It explains the legal context and five core principles covering the retention of historic buildings, suitable alterations and new development, protection of open spaces, and archaeology. It also gives detailed guidance on materials, roofs, windows, doors, shopfronts, signs, boundaries and extensions.

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This document contains Orkney Islands Council’s planning advice on protecting and managing trees and woodland. It explains their environmental, landscape, historic and biodiversity value, relevant laws and planning policy, and how tree preservation orders and conservation areas work. It also sets out advice for development proposals, including tree surveys, protection plans, replacement planting, permission for works, safe pruning and felling, and woodland management.

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This document contains Orkney Islands Council’s planning policy advice on development briefs, site development statements, masterplans and design statements. It explains when each document is needed, their planning status, and how applicants should prepare them for housing, business, mixed-use and other developments. It outlines the site information, constraints, services, landscape, heritage, access and design issues to consider, and includes a four-stage design process and template for individual building applications.

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This document contains Orkney Islands Council’s participation statement and consultation report on draft supplementary guidance for development briefs and design statements. The six-week consultation ran from 8 May to 19 June 2014, using a newspaper notice, public document displays and letters to agencies and community councils. Responses generally supported the guidance and suggested clearer terms, advice for individual buildings, and more detail on site constraints, access, heritage, drainage and landscaping. The report records the Council’s responses and resulting amendments, including new guidance and templates for design statements.

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This document contains Orkney Islands Council’s planning advice on protecting amenity in new development. It covers general and residential amenity, including garden space, privacy, daylight, sunlight and overshadowing. It also sets out guidance for reducing obtrusive artificial lighting, including directing light downwards, limiting brightness and spill, using energy-efficient controls, and considering the location and surrounding landscape.

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