Local Development Framework Guide
The Planning and Compulsory Purchase Act 2004 introduces radical changes to the structure of the Planning system in an effort to make the system more responsive to changing circumstances.
The main structural changes to the system are:
- Planning Policy Guidance Notes (PPGs) to be replaced by Planning Policy Statements (PPSs);
- Enhanced role of regional guidance with Regional Assemblies to produce a Regional Spatial Strategy (RSS);
- Structure Plans to be abolished with much of their strategic guidance to be incorporated within the RSS;
- Local Plans to be phased out in favour of Local Development Frameworks (LDFs).
Transitional Arrangements
- View updated situation - September 2007
- Arrangements made to enable transition to new system with adopted plans saved for three years from the commencement date of the new act (September 2004).
- Saved plans remain part of the formal Development Plan for the area and their policies will continue to apply for the saved period or until superseded by another plan.
- Local Planning Authorities are however expected to have new Development Frameworks in place by 31 March 2007.
- Adopted supplementary planning guidance cannot be saved under the new legislation but may still be considered in determining planning applications where it can be demonstrated that the guidance is linked to an existing policy and has gone through the processes as required for SPDs.
Structure of New System Local Development Framework
This framework structure can also be viewed as a PDF file: Framework Structure (PDF 23.6KB)
Components of the New Planning Framework
The new system introduces a range of new planning documents that are collectively known as the Local Development Framework (LDF). The LDF will consist of the following elements:-
- Local Development Scheme (LDS) a public statement setting out the timetable for the preparation of Local Development Documents (LDDs). The statement should specify which documents are to be prepared, the timetables intended for their production and if to be prepared jointly with other LPAs. This is an early priority for LPAs.
- Local Development Documents (LDDs) consist of both Development Plan Documents (DPDs) and Supplementary Planning Documents (SPDs) (see below).
- DPDs shall comprise of a Core Strategy (sets out the general principles of where and when development will be acceptable), Area Action Plans (for major development areas) and proposals maps (set of maps illustrating which policies and proposals apply where) and forms the development plan for the area.
- SPDs documents that elaborate upon the policies and proposals contained within the core strategy or other DPD documents.
- Statement of Community Involvement (SCI) this is a document produced by the Council setting out how the community and those with an interest in the planning system will be involved in the production of LDDs.
- Strategic Environmental Assessment (SEA) / Sustainability Appraisal (SA) an assessment of the environmental effect of the policies or proposals within the DPDs.
- Annual Monitoring Report (AMR) a publicly available report produced by the Council to show its progress on producing its LDF.
- Timescales
