What is planning policy?
Planning policy refers to the framework of rules, principles, and guidance that govern how land is used and developed. It’s created by national governments and local authorities to guide decisions on planning applications, infrastructure, housing, and environmental protection.
What are development plans?
“The development plan is at the heart of the planning system with a requirement set in law that planning decisions must be taken in line with the development plan unless material considerations indicate otherwise”.
Source: Gov.uk guidance on Plan-making
Development plans are prepared by local planning authorities, and can include planning policies related to various topics such as spatial strategies, housing, employment, and the natural environment. Land can be ‘allocated’ for development, including for new housing. Landowners and developers can ‘promote’ land for allocation in the development plan, which are then subject to public consultation as the plan is being prepared.
Local planning authorities can also prepare supplementary plans, which contain more detailed or site-specific policies, and planning guidance, e.g. a design guide.
England
In England, the central document is the National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF), which outlines the government’s planning priorities and how they should be applied.
Under this ‘umbrella’, local planning authorities prepare Local Plans. And even more locally, parish councils or other forums can produce Neighbourhood Plans. The Levelling Up and Regeneration Act 2023 heralded certain changes to the planning system in England (see summary here) and there is an ongoing Government focus on streamlining the planning system.
An example of national policy is the provision for:
Examples of local planning policies include:
Lastly, there is national Planning Practice Guidance, which covers many different topics.
Wales / Cymru
In Wales, there is Planning Policy Wales (PPW), which supported by Technical Advice Notes (TANs) and other guidance documents. There can be (region-focused) Strategic Development Plans, and local planning authorities prepare Local Development Plans.
Examples of national planning policy include:
External links
ENGLAND
Gov.uk – Plain English guide to the planning system (England)
Gov.uk – National Planning Policy Framework (England)
Gov.uk – Planning Practice Guidance (England)
WALES
Gov.wales – Building and planning (Wales)
Gov.wales – Future Wales: the national plan 2040
Gov.wales – Planning Policy Wales
Related pages
This page is for informational purposes only and should not be taken as advice or recommendation. It may not be comprehensive or up-to-date, and may omit important regulations, policies or criteria. You should do your own research and seek professional advice as appropriate before deciding your way forward. See website disclaimer / terms of use.
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