LDF Support

 LDF Support

POS Enterprises has been at the forefront of building understanding of the principles which underpin the LDF system.  We developed and updated the "Soundness self-assessment toolkit", produced PAS guidance on selling the LDF corporately and to partners, led the preparation of the "SHLAA practice guidance" for the DCLG, and have supported many planning authorities through the critical friend service and supported learning groups.

Critical Friend Support

This service helps authorities prepare good plans which will be found sound at examination, and has assisted over 60 authorities to date.  It concentrates on practical approaches to plan preparation, with a strong emphasis on getting the fundamentals right and setting a clear focus.  We can assist with both general LDF preparation and minerals and waste plans.

The early involvement of a critical friend ensures the authority is going in the right direction and that its approach to the work will be effective and economical of resources.  Alternatively a critical friend can be involved when a DPD is at an advanced stage, to provide a full soundness assessment against the tests of soundness.  In either case an initial workshop with the authority's team is used to explore aspects of soundness, review the work to date and planned way forward, and pinpoint any areas needing attention. 

The feedback from the support has been very positive, as these comments from clients show -

• Very efficient service, professional and on the button
• It is very much a case of the consultant working with us rather than talking at us!
• Very helpful in giving a clear steer forward

Project Management

Where DPDs have been prepared to programme and come through examination unscathed there has almost always been strong project management.  Unfortunately the opposite is also true.  Our project management support is designed to assist authorities to get the foundations right in terms of staffing, funding and corporate support; manage the work programme effectively with a clear focus on the key policy issues; and minimise the risk of being blown off course by events.

Support begins with a structured self-assessment which is followed up with a workshop to explore issues and identify matters for action.  This leads into further dialogue and a "tailored" project plan.  As with the critical friend service, the aim is for the authority's officers to do it themselves, not have it done for them.  Uniquely, we involve both a project management specialist and an LDF expert in the delivery of this support, to ensure that good project management is not defeated by weaknesses of professional practice.

The service is offered for a fixed fee so that the authority will know its commitment from the outset. 

SHLAA Support

It is now clear that the SHLAA is crucial evidence for both core strategies and site allocations DPDs.  At very economical cost we can review a draft or completed SHLAA against the DCLG guidance (whose preparation POS Enterprises led), and provide a report advising on the robustness of the evidence base and giving clear recommendations on any action required to strengthen it.

We can also offer (subject to availability) support to your LDF team in SHLAA work, to act as a virtual member of the team in updating the SHLAA or perhaps bringing a consultant-produced SHLAA in-house.

Supported Learning Groups

We manage three supported learning groups which assist groups of authorities in sharing experience and exploring aspects of plan-making practice.  Two groups deal with general LDF matters, and the third specialises in minerals and waste planning.  Participants select the matters to be addressed by the groups in the light of their priorities and current interests.  All three groups are supported by expert project officers and have been continued from year to year at the request of the participants.

From time to time places come available on the two general LDF groups, so enquiries about the possibility of joining are welcomed.

Training

For details of LDF training, please click here.

Publications

For a list of past and current publications click here.

 For further information about LDF services, please contact Andrew Wright on 0845 6019 067 or at andrewwright@posenterprises.co.uk