Non-Statutory Wealden Local Plan
Interim Guide for Development Control
At its meeting on 14th December 2005, the Council approved the non-statutory Plan as an Interim Guide for Development Control purposes. The Council will not now progress this Plan any further through its statutory process and it will not therefore be taken through a Local Plan Inquiry to formal adoption. This will enable the Council to embark upon the production of its Local Development Framework as required by the Government.
A map-based Interactive system is available. This enables users locate maps by postcode and identify the relevant policies. Links are then available to the full policy text.
The text of the plan is also available online for download. The Proposals Map, Inset Maps and other maps referred to in the non-statutory plan will also be available to download here shortly. In the meantime view the maps contained within the Interactive system.
If you have any queries about the Non Statutory Wealden Local Plan then please call the Local Plan Information Line on 01892 602007. Copies of the Plan can be purchased at a cost of £60.41 including postage. Please contact Planning Information on 01892 602510 for a copy.
Background to the Plan
In September 2004, Wealden District Council received a claim for Judicial Review in respect of its decision to discontinue the process of producing a statutory local plan and in its place produce a Revised (Non-Statutory) Plan for the purposes of development control. The Court was requested to quash this decision with a view to the Council being required to hold a public local inquiry to hear objections to the emerging statutory plan.
The Judge ruled in favour of the claimants and overturned the Council's decision to produce a non-statutory local plan. The Council appealed the judgment and the Court of Appeal heard the case on 23rd and 24th June 2005.
The Court issued its judgment on 31st October 2005 when it allowed the Council’s appeal. Accordingly the Council are not required to pursue the making of a statutory local plan to a public inquiry and can therefore continue with the non-statutory plan.
The Court of Appeal’s judgment is available on-line at the following website:
http://www.bailii.org/ew/cases/EWCA/Civ/2005/1221.html
The Court of Appeal refused the Claimants’ application for permission to appeal to the House of Lords.
Consideration of objections and consideration of recommendations relating to the Plan
The Revised Draft (Non-statutory) Plan was published for a 6 week consultation period on 1st November 2004. Valid representations were considered by the Wealden Local Plan Review Special Review Committee on 24th February, 4th April and 10th May 2005
All of the recommendations of the Wealden Local Plan Review Special Review Committee were considered by a joint meeting of the Development Control North (DCN) and Develoment Control South (DCS) Committees on 20th May 2005, and by the Council's Cabinet on 27th June 2005.
The recommendations on the Plan were reported to the Council for consideration at two meetings held on 9th November 2005 and 14th December 2005
The Revised Draft Plan can still be downloaded/viewed on-line or can be purchased in hard copy format, although you should note that this Plan is now effectively superceded by the Non Statutory Wealden Local Plan Interim Guide for Development Control.
The Revised Draft Plan can also be purchased/inspected at the Council’s offices in Crowborough and Hailsham and is available for inspection at the Council’s offices or at your local library (including the Mobile Library).
Background Papers and Supplementary Planning Guidance
View the Background Papers and Supplementary Planning Guidance which are of relevance to the Wealden Local Plan Review.
