LOCAL DEVELOPMENT FRAMEWORKS:
Key Components

The Local Development Documents that comprise the Local Development Framework must include a Statement of Community Involvement and can include any additional documents that the local planning authority deems appropriate for delivering the spatial strategy for the area. Typically, the Local Development documents will be made up of the following components:

(A) Statement of Community Involvement (SCI)
This document will set out what and how the Council intends to consult with the community. As the Local Development Documents are intended to be the spatial expression of the Community Strategy, the SCI will also identify the links between the Local Development Documents and the Community Strategy.

(B) Development Plan Documents (DPDs)
Development Plan Documents will form the ‘heart’ of the new Local Development Framework. A series of documents, they will set out the local planning authority’s policies relating to the development and use of land in their administrative area. In most cases, it is likely that these documents will include:

• Core Policy Document – setting out the local authorities’ long-term vision and strategy to be applied in promoting and controlling development throughout its area. It will contain a set of primary policies for delivering the core strategy. Broad locations for development may be set out in a key diagram;
• Area Action Plans – which may be relevant to particular areas of change which require more pro-active policy treatment. These may include the establishment of local partnerships to assist in meeting change. These could apply, for example, to town centres, areas requiring renewal and potentially, conservation areas;
• Proposals Map (with inset maps, where necessary) – showing the areas of change for which action plans are to be prepared and existing designations, such as conservation areas.

In addition, other Development Plan Documents may be produced at the discretion of the local planning authority. These must be identified in a Local Development Scheme (see below) and approved by the Secretary of State.

(C) Supplementary Planning Documents (SPDs)
Supplementary Planning Documents can be developed to further define and implement the policies and strategies contained within the primary Development Plan Documents. Examples include development briefs, car parking standards, and design guides that are applicable to local circumstances. These documents will also be subject to public consultation.

Development Plan Documents and the Statement of Community Involvement must be submitted to the Secretary of State for independent examination. Local authorities must also ensure that the documents are in general conformity with the Regional Spatial Strategy.

LOCAL DEVELOPMENT SCHEME (LDS)
Under the new legislation, local planning authorities must outline every Local Development Document that they intend to produce over the next three years, in a Local Development Scheme . The Local Development Scheme will set out a rolling 3 year timetable for production of the Local Development Documents. It will be reviewed annually.

MONITORING
All local planning authorities must produce an Annual Monitoring Report . This will assess the implementation of the Local Development Scheme and the extent to which policies in Local Development Documents are being achieved.

SUSTAINABILITY
The concept and attainment of sustainable development is increasingly at the forefront of international land use planning. An essential part of the production process is that the emerging plan must be the subject of a Sustainability Appraisal and Strategic Environmental Assessment . The latter is a European Union requirement. While the methodologies of each are slightly different, both have the objective of assessing the economic, social and environmental impacts of Local Development Documents. Documents will be tested to ensure that they reflect sustainable development objectives. Government has suggested integrating the two processes to avoid unnecessary confusion and duplication. The findings of this process must be published by the local planning authority.