Local Development Framework
Overview
On 28th September 2004 the Planning and Compulsory Purchase Act 2004 came into effect. The Act introduced significant changes to the Development Plan system, including the abolition of district-wide local plans and their replacement with a series of Local Development Documents (LDDs). Together, the LDDs will comprise the Local Development Framework (LDF) for the district authority area. There are different types of LDD.
Development Plan Documents
Development Plan Documents (DPDs), are policy documents which either make policy which will be used to determine planning applications and or they allocate areas or sites for particular types of development. DPDs are required to be submitted to the Secretary of State for independent examination in public. Government guidance is that the following DPDs should be produced:
- A Core Strategy for the local authority area (mandatory);
- Those that present site specific allocations (mandatory);
- A Proposals Map (mandatory);
- Area Action Plans (optional); and
- Other DPDs considered appropriate by the local authority (optional).
The DPDs produced by the local authority will form part of the statutory Development Plan for the local authority area.
Supplementary Planning Documents
Other LDDs, termed Supplementary Planning Documents (SPDs), will replace the former Supplementary Planning Guidance. SPDs will not be subject to independent examination. They will provide more detail on how key policies or allocations in DPD's will be implemented and can be site specific Masterplans or topic specific.
Local Development Scheme
The Local Development Scheme sets out the status and programme for production of the documents which make up the Swale Local Development Framework. The second revision to this was approved by the Secretary of State on 12 November 2010. The Local Development Scheme will be reviewed and updated during spring 2012.
The Local Development Scheme must identify:
- The LDDs to be prepared and the timetable for their preparation and/or review;
- Those LDDs that will comprise DPDs (SPDs do not have to be shown but are included for information only).
Statement of Community Involvement
The SCI is a statement of the authority's policy as to the involvement of persons who appear to the authority to have an interest in matters relating to development in their area in regard to the preparation of LDDs and the consideration of major development schemes. The Borough Council adopted a Statement of Community Involvement in 2008.
Swale Borough Council's LDF
A full list of Local Development Documents adopted, proposed or in production at November 2010 are set out in the Local Development Scheme (see above). The main documents comprise:
Under preparation
Adopted
- Landscape Character and Biodiversity Appraisal SPD (September 2011)
- Stones Farm Development Brief SPD (May 2011)
- Queenborough and Rushenden Masterplan SPD (November 2010)
- Sittingbourne Town Centre and Milton Creek Masterplan SPD (September 2010)
- Developer Contributions SPD (November 2009)
- Statement of Community Involvement (September 2008)
- Kent Design SPD (2008)
- Swale Borough Local Plan 2008 (February 2008)
The Evidence Base
In order to inform the Local Development Framework, evidence is currently being gathered. As it is completed, details will be made available.
Topic Papers
A series of Topic Papers intended to set out the baseline information that will inform the Local Development Framework is available to view.
Public Consultations
- Draft Core Strategy: Bearing Fruits (March 2012)
Find out more about our draft Core Strategy - Strategic Housing Land Availability Assessment (March 2012)
Find out more about our SHLAA - Sustainability Assessment / Strategic Environmental Assessment
Find out more about our SA / SEA
More Information
If you would like any further advice and information about the Council's proposals for its LDF, please contact us on (01795) 417023r by email.
