Development Monitoring
Development monitoring ensures that we comply with National Planning Framework 4 and that the Moray Local Development Plan 2020 is providing effective development opportunities to enable growth within Moray.
Housing Land Audit
The Housing Land Audit is carried out annually to demonstrate the availability of effective land for housing and provides a record of the effective and constrained housing land supply, as well as identifying past completion rates and projected housing completions. The 2024/25 Housing Land Audit provides an evidence base for the monitoring and review of policies and proposals included in the Local Development Plan.
The 2023 Housing Land Audit is available here.
Employment Land Audit
The Employment Land Audit is carried out annually to identify the extent and status of employment land supply in the area. The 2024 Employment Land Audit provides an evidence base for the monitoring and review of policies and proposals included in the Local Development Plan.
The 2023 Employment Land Audit is available here.
A Business Property Needs Study was completed in 2023 to inform the new Local Development Plan.
Moray Town Centre Health Check Assessments and Moray Retail Study 2021
A retail study was completed in 2021 to provide up to date information and analysis to inform retail and commercial leisure strategy, policy and designations within the next Local Development Plan. The study includes an assessment and recommendations covering the following
- Retail and commercial leisure trends and their implications for Moray’s town centres and commercial centres to inform policy development and designations.
- The potential future demand and supply for retail floor space within Moray over the next 5-10 years.
- The requirements for retail and commercial floorspace within new neighbourhoods/masterplan areas.
- A review of town centres including space in use, and vacancies, perceptions of centres.
The 2021 Moray Retail Study is available here. An Executive Summary is also available.
Town Centre Health Checks are undertaken biennially to assess the vitality and viability of five Moray town centres: Elgin, Forres, Buckie, Keith, and Lossiemouth. Limited assessment is also undertaken in Aberlour, Dufftown, Fochabers, Rothes and the Edgar Road area of Elgin.
2021 Town Centre Health Check - see section 5 of the Moray Retail Study 2021
2018 Town Centre Health Check Report
2016 Town Centre Health Check Report
2014 Town Centre Health Check Report
Contact Us
Planning & Development
The Moray Council
Council Office
High Street, Elgin
IV30 1BX
0300 123 4561