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Further guidance on Local Development Frameworks

• 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

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 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 'Local Development Frameworks Examining Development Plan Documents: Soundness Guidance' (PDF 1.85 Mb)

View 'Local Development Frameworks Examining Development Plan Documents: Procedure Guidance' (PDF 681 Kb)

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