Local Development Framework
The Planning and Compulsory Purchase Act 2004 makes significant reforms to the planning system, including new arrangements for the preparation of development plans. The Local Development Framework will eventually supersede the Wealden Local Plan adopted in 1998 and the Non-statutory Wealden Local Plan approved in 2005 and together with the regional spatial strategy will provide the framework for planning in Wealden. Local Development Frameworks are based upon spatial planning and take into account other relevant strategies and programmes such as the Council’s Community Strategy.
The Local Development Framework consists of a number of documents including:-
Local Development Scheme (LDS)
This document sets out the timetable for the production of the Local Development Framework. It states what the Council will do, and when, and identifies opportunities for public involvement in the preparation of Local Development Documents. The Local Development Scheme commits the Council to produce a Core Strategy Development Plan Document, Site Allocations Development Plan Document and a Design Guide Supplementary Planning Document.
The Core Strategy
The Core Strategy Development Plan Document will be key component of the Local Development Framework as it will set out the Council’s long-term spatial vision for the District and the strategic policies that will be required to deliver that vision.
Statement of Community Involvement
This document sets out the Council’s consultation principles for preparing Local Development Documents and for the planning application process. The SCI was formally adopted on 21st February 2007 and all consultation must now comply with the principles set out in that document.
View further information on the Statement of Community Involvement.
Design Guide
The Design Guide is a Supplementary Planning Document that will contain guidance with regard to achieving a high quality of design in new development within the District. It will encourage the creation of an attractive and sustainable environment and maintain and enhance the District’s unique and distinctive character.
Extensive consultation events have now taken place to inform the preparation of a draft document. Once prepared, the draft will be made available on the Council’s website and there will be an opportunity to make comments about the document. The draft was reported to the Council's LDF Sub-Committee on 7th June .
Sustainability Appraisal
A Sustainability Appraisal evaluates the social, economic and environmental impacts of policies and strategies in a Local Development Document to ensure that the policies and strategies are in accordance with Sustainable Development objectives.
The Council is required to produce a Sustainability Appraisal (which also incorporates Strategic Environmental Assessment) for all of its documents except for the Statement of Community Involvement, the Annual Monitoring Report and the Local Development Scheme.
The Council's Sustainability Appraisal Scoping Report was approved in February 2007. Sustainability appraisals will be undertaken at the Preferred Options stage for the Core Strategy and the Housing and Business Allocations Development Plan documents. These documents will be assessed against the framework as outlined within this scoping report.
The website of the Office of the Department for Communities and Local Government (DCLG) provides more information about regional and national planning guidance including the Local Development Framework process where there is a Frequently Asked Questions page.
