Principles for Local Development Frameworks

The main principles for Local Development Frameworks (LDFs) include:

  • sustainable development – taking account of the long term social, environmental, economic and resource impacts of development
  • local development documents to be subject to Sustainability appraisal
  • “spatial planning” – more wide ranging and integrated than just land use planning – involving other agencies in implementing development and delivering services, taking account of the community strategy and strategies for education, health, housing, transport, economic development etc.
  • identify sufficient land for new development to meet the requirements of the regional spatial strategy
  • strengthening community and stakeholder involvement in planning
  • Statement of Community Involvement to set out the authority’s policy for involving the community in preparation of local development documents and planning applications
  • “front-loading”, meaning more active involvement of communities, stakeholders and commercial interests earlier in the plan preparation process
  • all local development documents should be consistent with national and regional policy
  • LDFs need to have a sound evidence base

Monitoring and review to assess progress and implementation