The planning system

The purpose of the planning system is to ensure that development plans and planning applications contribute to the delivery of sustainable development. This means that the right development is in the right place and at the right time.

The planning system helps to ensure that development the country needs – for example, new homes, businesses, offices and schools - is provided, while at the same time protecting and improving the environment.

Any business looking to extend its premises, build a new premises or convert an existing building to suit its purposes may at some point come into contact with the planning system.

However, the planning system does not just affect people wishing to build or extend their premises. You, in turn, may be affected by development proposed by others.

What development can take place – and where – is governed by guidance, strategies and plans drawn up by local, regional and central government. These can affect small businesses. For your area there are two levels of plan:

  (i) Each region has (or is preparing) a Regional Spatial Strategy. This sets out things such as how many homes are needed to meet the future needs of people in the area, or whether the region needs a new major shopping centre or an airport. Regional Spatial Strategies are drafted by the Regional Planning Body.

  (ii) At local level there is a plan known as a Local Development Framework. This is a folder of documents that sets out how your local area may change over the next few years. Local Development Frameworks are prepared by the local planning authority

There may also be other types of plan, such as how to deal with waste or with minerals. These different types of plan are available from local libraries and an increasing number are available for consultation via your planning authority websites or on the Planning Portal. 

All these plans must take account of the future needs of local communities, including the business community. They must set out the sorts of development needed to help people live and work in the area as well as considering the environmental implications of future development.

The Government has asked planning authorities to ensure that, when making their plans, suitable locations are available for industrial, commercial, retail, public sector, tourism and leisure developments, so that the economy can prosper. 

All members of the community (homeowners, businesses, community groups and other members of the public) can contribute to the process of plan-making.

It is important that individuals and communities get involved at an early stage when these wide-reaching plans are prepared. This is because when individual planning applications are decided the approved local development plan is the starting point for the decision.  Planning applications are normally decided in line with the development plan unless there are other material circumstances which mean that a different decision should be taken (the plan-led system).

If your local plan includes policies favourable to your type of business in a particular area, it will be a lot easier for you to obtain permission. So it is in your interest to become involved when the plan is first being drawn up.

Internal links:
The plan-led system
Local Planning Information
Having your say
Planning Aid contacts