Local Development Frameworks (LDFs) set out the local planning authority’s policies and proposals for the development and use of land in their area over a period of at least 10 years. LDFs must take into account the national and regional policies issued by the Secretary of State responsible for planning, which under the current Government is Hazel Blears. The Regional Spatial Strategy (or Spatial Development Strategy in London) is part of the Development Plan, covered in more detail under Regional Planning.
More information on the national picture
Local Development Frameworks
Local development frameworks (LDFs) consist of:
- A local development scheme (LDS)
Local authorities set out their programme and key milestones for preparing local development documents in their LDS.
- A statement of community involvement (SCI)
Sets out consultation arrangements for producing development plan documents and supplementary planning documents, and for deciding planning applications.
- Development plan documents (DPD)
Set out the strategic planning framework (the core strategy), any land use allocations and other spatial policies.
- Supplementary planning documents (SPD)
Expand on or provides further detail to policies in a development plan document.
- An annual monitoring report (AMR)
Reports on progress in preparing DPDs and in implementing plan policies, especially on housing delivery, and infrastructure programmes.
Delivery of LDFs
Timely preparation and adoption of DPDs is essential to implementing local, regional and national policies and to delivering major infrastructure and developments. Part of our role is to consider whether local authorities' programmes for preparing DPDs, including their priorities and key milestones, are realistic, right for the area and fit together.
A database showing the LDS of every authority in England is available through the Planning Portal.
Soundness of LDFs
We expect local authorities to ensure that their DPDs:
- have followed the regulations, including those relating to public consultation and sustainability appraisal
- are justified – that is, based on robust and credible evidence – and represent the most appropriate approach
- will be effective – that is, deliverable, flexible and capable of being monitored
- are consistent with national policy.
Public participation in the preparation of DPDs and independent examination of DPDs at the end of the process are very important features of the system. Through dialogue, timely advice and responding to consultations by local authority, we aim to help local authorities resolve any difficulties in submitting sound DPDs to the Secretary of State for independent examination. The independent inspector may ask us also to give evidence at the hearing on the Secretary of State’s behalf.
If necessary, we can object to a DPD and issue directions to local authorities.
Current position in the North East
At 1 September 2008, the position in the North East was that six authorities had adopted core strategies, two had adopted development control DPDs, and one had adopted an area action plan.
