Development Plans

Under section 54A of the Town and Country Planning Act 1990 (as substituted by section 38(6) of the Planning and Compulsory Purchase Act 2004) the development plan is the starting point for consideration of development proposals but it does not alone determine the outcome. The development plan should be up to date and consistent with national policy.

Town and Country Planning Act 1990 and Planning and Compulsory Purchase Act 2004 - HMSO website

The development plan system is in the process of being revised.

Under the present (but outgoing) system in areas where counties exist there may be two development plans: the County Council Structure Plan and the District or Borough Council Local Plan. In areas where a single unitary authority exists, there is normally one plan, the Unitary Development Plan.

Planning Policy Guidance note 12 (PPG12: ‘Development Plans’), has been replaced by Planning Policy Statement 12 (PPS 12) ‘Local Development Frameworks’ though PPG 12 remains relevant to development plans which are still being prepared under the 1999 Development Plan Regulations. Both documents confirm the Government’s commitment to a Plan led system, outlines the key issues on the content of Development Plans and the procedures for preparing them.

Planning Policy Guidance note 12 - Communities and Local Government website

Under the new system, Regional Planning Bodies will prepare the Regional Spatial Strategy and local planning authorities will prepare local development frameworks. The local development framework will comprise local development documents, which include development plan documents (that will be part of the statutory development plan) and supplementary planning documents which expand policies set out in a development plan document or provide additional detail. The local development framework will also include a statement of community involvement, a local development scheme and an annual monitoring report.

Planning Policy Statement 12 - Communities and Local Government website

Most development plans contain policies relating to telecommunications development. However, whether these policies represent a significant consideration may depend on a range of factors including how up to date they are and whether they accord with national telecommunications policy.

Planning Policy Guidance 8 - Communities and Local Government website

Copies of development plans can be obtained from local planning authorities (LPAs) and many are accessible on LPA websites. In due course local development frameworks will be similarly available.