THE LOCAL DEVELOPMENT FRAMEWORK (LDF)

Planning legislation has recently been updated under the Planning and Compulsory Purchase Act, 2004. The Act requires that Local Planning Authorities prepare a Local Development Framework (LDF). The LDF is the collective name for the portfolio of Local Development Documents (LDDs) that will provide the framework for delivering the spatial planning strategy, it comprises the Local Development Scheme, the Statement of Community Involvement, the Annual Monitoring Report and Development Plan Documents (DPDs), and may also contain Supplementary Planning Documents (SPDs).

The Local Development Scheme (LDS)

The LDS details planning policy documents to be produced by the Borough Council in the period up to September 2008.

The Statement of Community Involvement (SCI)

The SCI sets out how the Council intends to involve the community in the preparation of planning policy documents (as part of the LDF) and how the Council intends to consult the community on planning applications.

Annual Monitoring Report (AMR)

The Annual Monitoring Report (AMR) is a position statement setting out the starting point of the Council's proposed monitoring strategy in relation to the adopted Local Plan and the LDF.

Development Plan Documents (DPDs)

In addition to the documents outlined above, the LDF will also contain DPDs, these are spatial planning documents, which, together with the relevant Regional Spatial Strategy (RSS), will form the statutory 'development plan' for Swindon Borough. These DPDs will include a Core Strategy, Generic Development Control Policies, Site Allocations, and Area Action Plans (where appropriate).

Core Strategy

The Core Strategy is the key document of the LDF, it sets out the spatial vision, objectives and policies.

Generic Development Control Policies

A suite of policies which set out the criteria against which planning applications for development and use of land and buildings will be considered.

Site Allocations

This document identifies specific sites for development including land to meet the requirements of the Core Strategy, and geographically shown on an a Proposals Map.

Area Action Plans

AAP's provide a more detailed planning framework for areas, identified as likely to experience 'significant change', for example work has already started on the production of an action plan for Swindon's Central Area; or conservation, to protect areas sensitive to change.

Other Local Development Documents

In addition to the DPD's outlined above the Borough Council will also produce a Proposals Map. The Proposals Map illustrates areas of protection, such as nationally protected landscape, it also identifies sites allocated for particular land uses in any adopted DPD, and also sets out the areas where specific policies apply.

Supplementary Planning Documents

SPDs provide further plannning guidance to amplify the policies and proposals of the DPDs. SPDs replace Supplementary Planning Guidance (SPG) in the new planning system.

A more detailed explanation of the various terms used under the new planning system can be viewed by clicking on the following PDF document:

The Planning and Compulsory Purchase Act Guide (22KB)

Sustainability Appraisal/Strategic Environmental Appraisal

Sustainability Appraisal/Strategic Environmental Assessment (SA/SEA)

The policies and proposals contained in the LDF must be appraised to ensure that they contribute to the aims of sustainable development. An SEA/SA will be carried out during the preparation of each Local Development Document (LDD). A Scoping Report has been published, which will provide the evidence base for assessment of all future LDDs.

Local Policy Forum

The Local Policy Forum enables the local community and other key stakeholders to play an influential role in progressing the documents that will make up the LDF. It is intended that the forum will be convened at key stages in the preparation of all LDDs.

This page was last updated on Friday 27th October 2006