What Are Local Development Frameworks?
Local development frameworks (LDF) is the name given to the portfolio of local development documents (LDD) which will comprise the spatial planning strategy for a local planning authority’s area. These documents, introduced as a result of the Planning and Compulsory Purchase Act 2004, will replace the existing system of local, structure and unitary development plans.
There are two types of local development document:
• Development Plan Documents (DPDs) that have been subject to independent examination and have the weight of development plan status; and
• Supplementary Planning Documents (SPDs), which are not subject to independent examination and do not have development plan status.
Development plan documents include:
i. a Core Strategy;
ii. Site Specific Allocations of land;
iii. Area Action Plans (where needed);
iv. Other Development Plan Documents – these could include thematic documents, for example, housing, employment and retail development; and
v. a Proposals Map illustrating the geographical extent of policies.
These development plan documents, together with the Regional Spatial Strategy (RSS), form the statutory development plan.
The diagram above sets out which documents form the LDF. Click here to see an interactive guide to Local Development Frameworks produced by the Planning Portal.
Local development frameworks are intended to streamline the local planning process and promote a proactive, positive approach to managing development and delivering change. Under the new system, two or more authorities may produce joint development plan documents.
Planning Policy Statement 12 (PPS12) sets out the Government's policy on the preparation of local development documents. This, and further guidance on the changes introduced under the new system, can be found on the Communities and Local Government website.
What Is A Core Strategy?
The core strategy will set out the spatial vision, spatial objectives, policies and a monitoring and implementation framework for a local authority area (or areas). It should be kept up to date and all other development plan documents must be in conformity with it.
Core strategies should:
• contain a clear spatial vision from which spatial objectives, strategic policies, monitoring and implementation frameworks flow;
• be guided by sustainable development principles;
• be linked to the sustainable communities agenda, helping determine the broad location of new housing and employment land necessary to meet the requirements of the regional spatial strategy or any sub-regional strategy contained within it;
• be in general conformity with regional spatial strategies; and
• avoid repeating national planning policy policies or policies in the relevant regional spatial strategy.
Specific land allocations should not be set out in the core strategy. Instead, the core strategy should set out the broad locations for land use, which can then be outlined in detail in site specific allocations in other development plan documents. It can also use criteria to identify locations and priorities for preparing area action plans.
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