The Planning System in England - General Principles

The town and country planning system in England regulates the development and use of land in the public interest. The planning system is the means by which land use planning decisions are made. The system is governed by legislation, both statutory (Acts of Parliament) and delegated (Rules, Regulations, Orders and Directions).

Ultimately all planning decisions involve balancing a large number of factors but key among these are the development plan (produced by the local planning authority) and national planning policy produced by Government.

For an introduction to general national planning policy see Planning Policy Statement (PPS1) and The Planning System: General Principles.

Planning Policy Statement (PPS1) and The Planning System: General Principles - Communities and Local Government website