The Development Plan

What It Is

The development plan is the starting point for determining planning applications. Section 38(6) of the Planning and Compulsory Purchase Act 2004 requires decisions to be made in accordance with the development plan unless material considerations indicate otherwise.

Components

The development plan typically comprises the Local Plan (or Core Strategy and allocations DPD), any adopted Neighbourhood Plans, the London Plan (in London), and any remaining saved policies from older plans. Supplementary Planning Documents (SPDs) are not part of the development plan but are material considerations.

Plan-Led System

England operates a plan-led system. This means the development plan carries significant weight — proposals that accord with it should be approved without delay. The NPPF is a material consideration but does not override the development plan unless the plan is out of date.

Checking the Development Plan

Always verify which documents form the current development plan for the relevant LPA. Plans can be at various stages: adopted (full weight), emerging at examination (moderate weight), emerging at early stage (limited weight), or superseded. Check the LPA's website or the Planning Inspectorate's examination pages.

Related Topics: NPPF, Housing Supply, Material Considerations