Local Development Framework Guidance

• Local Development Frameworks: Lessons Learnt Examining Development Plan Documents

A comprehensive guidance document has been produced by the Planning Inspectorate, which seeks to expand on the 'Early Experiences' leaflet published by the Inspectorate at the end of last year. It focuses on lessons learnt from examining over 100 DPDs submitted as at June 2007, which have predominantly comprised Core Strategies.

It also incorporates a note provided by Communities and Local Government (CLG) on the waste content of Core Strategies (annexed), which will be of interest to all Local Planning Authorities (LPAs).

View the Full Lessons Learnt document here (PDF 1Mb) 

• Visual Guide to Local Development Frameworks

This visual guide introduces Local Development Frameworks and explains the importance and role of each development document.

It also explains the importance of community involvement in the creation of the documents - a crucial part of the new plan system.

Launch the Visual Guide to Local Development Frameworks (opens in a new window).

Requires Flash. Download the free plug-in from Adobe.

Alternatively, a text only HTML version is available here.

• PARSOL LDF Information

LDF XML Schema (ZIP 2 Mb)

LPA Authoring Guidelines (PDF 92 Kb)

• Public participation guides

The Planning Inspectorate has produced two short guidance documents aimed at members of the public wishing to participate in the Examination of Development Plan Documents (DPDs) and Statements of Community Involvement (SCIs).

These leaflets have been produced to address concerns arising from the consultation exercise ‘A Framework for Assessing Soundness (2005)’ that PINS DPD and SCI soundness guidance (available below) was too detailed for members of the public wishing to participate in the examination process and counter to public involvement.

The Inspectorate also undertook to publish its experiences after the first six months of DPD examinations.
 
View 'Local Development Frameworks: Early Experiences Examining Development Plan Documents' here (PDF 324Kb).

View 'A brief guide to examining development plan documents' here (PDF 540Kb).

View 'A brief guide to examining statements of community involvement' here (PDF 540Kb).

• Guidance On Assessing The Soundness Of Development Plan Documents And Statements Of Community Involvement

Development Plan Documents (DPDs) and Statements of Community Involvement (SCIs) form the major part of the Local Development Frameworks that local authorities in England are required to produce under the new planning system, introduced by the Planning and Compulsory Purchase Act 2004. DPDs and SCIs are subject to public examinations conducted by Planning Inspectors, whose role is to consider whether the plan or statement is ‘sound’.

The Planning Inspectorate has produced two guides intended to provide best practice guidance for local authorities, planning agents and other interested parties including developers, interested organisations and local residents on the approach to be taken to public examinations of DPDs and SCIs. The guides clarify the role of Inspectors, Local Planning Authorities, Government Offices, Regional Planning Bodies and the wider community. They set out the evidence requirements of the examination process, and provide model representation forms and guidance notes for local authorities to provide to anyone who wishes to make representations for the consideration of the Inspector.

View 'Development Plans Examination – A Guide to the Process of Assessing the Soundness of Development Plan Documents' here (220 Kb PDF).

View 'Development Plans Examination – A Guide to the Process of Assessing the Soundness of Statements of Community Involvement' here (144Kb PDF).

View the Frequently Asked Questions here (144 Kb PDF).

Hard Copies of all the Planning Inspectorate guides are available from: Martin Smith, The Planning Inspectorate Temple Quay House, 2 The Square Temple Quay, Bristol BS1 6PN Telephone: 0117 372 6313 martin.smith@pins.gsi.gov.uk In order to assist in meeting demand, it would be helpful if local planning authorities and other organisations seek to print and copy the leaflets from the website, where practicable.