A Local Plan sets out a vision and framework for future growth and development to guide and manage change over a minimum 15 year period to make sure that building is in accordance with the principles of sustainable development.

Once adopted, the policies within a Local Plan are used as the starting point to decide planning applications.

Local Plan 2030

The Council adopted the Local Plan 2030 in February 2019. The Local Plan sets out the strategic priorities for development of the borough, including land allocations and policies which cover issues such as housing, employment, community, environment and heritage.

Neighbourhood planning

A Neighbourhood Plan covers a geographic area and can be taken forward by town and parish councils or 'neighbourhood forums'. A Neighbourhood Plan, if approved, becomes part of the statutory development plan for that area and will be used in determining planning applications. Several parishes in the borough have prepared their own Neighbourhood Plans which once 'made' form part of the Development Plan.

Monitoring the plans

The council also monitors the production of the plans, and the policies contained within them. This is recorded in an annual report called the Authority Monitoring Report. This report also provides information on the demographic structure, the growth of housing and employment and covers issues such as transport, environment, community facilities, duty to co-operate and public consultation.

Contact the Spatial Planning Team

The Plan-Making & Infrastructure team are part of the Spatial Planning Team and are responsible for Local Plan making and infrastructure planning. If you require any further information, not available on this website, you can email the plan making and Infrastructure (Planning Policy) team.