Local development framework: Difference between revisions

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{{Update|inaccurate=y|date=November 2010}}

{{Redirects here|LDFs|the Van der Waals force|London dispersion force}} [[File:Buckshaw village (2).jpg|thumb|Buckshaw Village, Lancashire is an example of a recently planned development.]]

[[File:Buckshaw village (2).jpg|thumb|Buckshaw Village, Lancashire is an example of a recently planned development.]]

A '''local development framework''' is the [[spatial planning]] strategy introduced in [[England and Wales]] by the [[Planning and Compulsory Purchase Act 2004]] and given detail in [[Planning Policy Statements]] 12. In most parts of the two countries, maintaining the framework is the responsibility of English [[Districts of England|district councils]] and Welsh [[Subdivisions of Wales|principal area councils]].

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The frameworks were prepared within a [[regional spatial strategy]] (RSS) prepared for each [[Regions of England|region]] by the [[Secretary of State]] (specifically the [[Deputy Prime Minister of the United Kingdom|Deputy Prime Minister]]). Local development frameworks were required to have regard to the RSS until they were abolished in 2010.

All PPS were replaced by the [[National Planning Policy Framework]] in 2012. Chapter 3 sets out the requirements for plan-making.

==Composition==

The local development documents ''taken as a whole'' must set out the authority's policies relating to the ''development and use of land'' in their area. In the case of LDDs included in a minerals and waste development scheme, the LDDs together must also set out the authority's policies relating to minerals and waste development.

Each framework will be a folder containing a number of inter-related documents:

Each framework will be a folder containing a number of inter-related documents. The Core Strategy, development plan documents and statement of community involvement are compulsory, with other documents being optional.

===Local development scheme===

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===Development plan documents===

This includes the Core Strategy and the Local Plan.

These include the [[core strategy document]] and the [[Development plan|local plan]]. The [[Town and Country Planning (Local Development) (England) Regulations 2004]] ([[SI 2004]]/2204) lays out details they must comply with.

===Statement of community involvement===

TheseThe areSCI produced by toshould explain to the public how they will be involved in the preparation of the framework.<ref>East Riding of Yorkshire Council https://www.eastriding.gov.uk/planning-permission-and-building-control/planning-policy-and-the-local-plan/statement-of-community-involvement/</ref> They should set out the standards to be met by the authority in terms of community involvement, building upon the minimum requirements set out in the Regulations and [[PPS 12]]. Prior to the statement being adopted, local authorities must ensure that any plan preparation work meets these minimum requirements.

A key outcome of the SCI will be to encourage 'front loading' meaning that consultation with the public begins at the earliest stages of each document's development so that communities are given the fullest opportunity to participate in plan making and to make a difference.

===Annual monitoring report===

The Annual Monitoring ReportsReport<ref>Oxford City Council https://www.oxford.gov.uk/info/20067/planning_policy/746/annual_monitoring_report</ref> is submitted to [[United Kingdom Parliament|Governmentgovernment]] via the Regional Government office by a local planning authority at the end of December each year to assess the progress and the effectiveness of a Local Development Framework, specifically:

* Are policies achieving their objectives, and is [[sustainable development]] being delivered?

* Have policies had the intended consequences?

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To achieve this goal, the Annual Monitoring Report includes a range of local and standard (Core Output) indicators.

===Optional documents===

*[[Supplementary planning document]]s

*[[Local development order]]s

*[[Simplified planning zone]]s

==Key government aims==

#Flexibility

#Strengthening community and stakeholder involvement

#Front-loading sometimes – [[local authorities]] to take key decisions early in the preparation of local development documents.

#Sustainability appraisal

#Programme management

#Soundness – local development documents must be soundly based in terms of their content and the process by which they are produced. The must also be based upon a robust, credible evidence base.

==Relation==

The local development framework, together with the [[regional spatial strategy]] will provide the essential framework for planning in the [[local authority]]'s area.

==Development plan documents==

''Local development documents'' are a set of documents specified in [[United Kingdom]] planning law which a [[local planning authority]] creates to describe their strategy for development and use of land in their area of authority.

Established as part of the [[Planning and Compulsory Purchase Act 2004]] in [[United Kingdom]] law, a local planning authority must include as local development documents in their [[local development scheme]]s.

The local development documents ''taken as a whole'' must set out the authority's policies relating to the ''development and use of land'' in their area. In the case of LDDs included in a minerals and waste development scheme, the LDDs together must also set out the authority's policies relating to minerals and waste development.

The [[Secretary of State (United Kingdom)|Secretary of State]] may prescribe the form and content of LDDs and which descriptions of those documents are development plan documents (which are to be subject to the process of independent examination and which will form part of the authority's development plan). Development plan documents taken together are broadly equivalent to the old-style [[local plan]]s.

===Compulsory development plan documents===

*[[Core Strategy]]

*[[Development plan document]]s

*[[Statements of community involvement]]

===Optional development plan documents===

*Area actionAction planPlan: an optional development plan document aimed at establishing a set of proposals and policies for the development of a specific area (such as a town centre or an area of new development) of a district authority.<ref>Plymouth City Council - Derriford and Seaton Area Action Plan https://www.plymouth.gov.uk/planningandbuildingcontrol/localdevelopmentframework/areaactionplans/derrifordandseatonareaactionplan</ref> There is no limit on the number of area action plans that a local authority can develop.

*Supplementary planning documents: established as part of the [[Planning and Compulsory Purchase Act 2004]] in [[United Kingdom]] law, SPDs may cover a range of issues, thematic or site-specific, and provides further detail of policies and proposals in a 'parent' development plan document.

*[[Local development order]]s

*[[SupplementarySimplified planning documentzone]]s

Sometimes certain policies from an old document remain effective when that document is superseded. These policies are known as "saved" policies.<ref>Elmbridge Council, {{cite web|url=http://www.elmbridge.gov.uk/planning/policy/localplan.htm |title=ArchivedLocal copyPlan - Saved Policies |accessdateaccess-date=2015-07-16 |url-status=dead |archiveurlarchive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150717190026/http://www.elmbridge.gov.uk/planning/policy/localplan.htm |archivedatearchive-date=2015-07-17 }}</ref>

===Legal requirements of all local development documents===

They should be prepared in accordance with the [[local development scheme]] and should have regard to [http://www.opsi.gov.uk/acts/acts2004/40005--c.htm#section 19] of the Planning and Compulsory Purchase Act 2004:

*National policies and advice contained in guidance issued by the Secretary of State,

*The [[regional spatial strategy]] for the region in which the area of the authority is situated, if the area is outside Greater London. Also the RSS for any region which adjoins the area of the authority or the [[Wales Spatial Plan]] if any part of the authority's area adjoins Wales

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*The resources likely to be available for implementing the proposals in the document

*Such other matters as the Secretary of State prescribes.

*They should comply with the [[statement of community involvement]] (once the statement is adopted)

*The [[local planning authority]] must appraise the sustainability of each development plan document and report the findings.

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DPDs must be examined with a [[sustainability appraisal]] to ensure economic, environmental and social effects of the plan are in line with sustainable development targets.

==Key government aims==

#Flexibility{{citation needed|date=August 2020}}

#Strengthening community and stakeholder involvement

#Front-loading sometimes – [[local authorities]] to take key decisions early in the preparation of local development documents.

#Sustainability appraisal

#Programme management

#Soundness – local development documents must be soundly based in terms of their content and the process by which they are produced. The must also be based upon a robust, credible evidence base.

==Criticism==

In practice, many local authorities have found Local Development Frameworks difficult to implement. Although progress on Local Development Frameworks was made in the years 2012–2015, an assessment by Nathaniel Lichfield and Partners has found any progress to be "marginal".<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.kslaw.co.uk/site/library/kslaw_legal_news/why-are-local-development-frameworks-so-important|title=Why Are Local Development Frameworks So Important? - Kingsley Smith Solicitors|publisher=}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://blog.planningportal.co.uk/2015/04/09/local-plan-progress-marginal-claims-report/|title=Local plan progress ‘marginal’'marginal' claims report|first=Planning Portal Content|last=Team|date=9 April 2015|publisher=}}</ref>

==See also==