📚 Planning Library
Primary-source intelligence — legislation, policy, case law, appeals & local plans
201 documents — 📋 Policy Sort:AuthorityNewestOldest
When is permission required? Sets out when planning permission is required and different types of planning permission which may be granted. What is development? Planning permission is only needed if...
Planning guarantee monitoring report The planning guarantee was announced as part of the government’s plan for growth on 21 March 2011, alongside a number of other proposals to … The...
Water supply, wastewater and water quality Advises on how planning can ensure water quality and the delivery of adequate water and wastewater infrastructure. Guidance amended - see previous version. Water...
Starter Homes Advises on the national Starter Homes exception site policy. Where plans are being prepared under the transitional arrangements set out in Annex 1 to the revised National Planning...
Viability Sets out key principles in understanding viability in plan making and decision taking. Viability and plan making How should plan makers set policy requirements for contributions from development? Plans...
Transport evidence bases in plan making and decision taking Guidance to help local planning authorities assess and reflect strategic transport needs in Local Plan making. Transport evidence bases in plan...
Tree Preservation Orders and trees in conservation areas Explains the legislation governing Tree Preservation Orders and tree protection in conservation areas. Tree Preservation Orders – general What is a Tree...
Self-build and custom housebuilding Self-build and custom housebuilding registers. Self-build and custom housebuilding What is self-build and custom housebuilding? Self-build and custom housebuilding covers a wide spectrum, from projects where...
Strategic environmental assessment and sustainability appraisal Provides clarity on the need for sustainability appraisal and strategic environmental assessment in relation to plan development. Please note new paragraphs 046-047 which set...
Renewable and low carbon energy Guidance to help local councils in developing policies for renewable and low carbon energy and identifies the planning considerations. Planning for renewable and low carbon...
Rural housing Guidance for councils in how to consider rural housing policies. This guidance has been moved to the Housing needs of different groups guidance chapter. Paragraph: 001 Reference ID:...
Open space, sports and recreation facilities, public rights of way and local green space Gives key advice on open space, sports and recreation facilities, public rights of way and the...
Planning obligations Use of planning obligations and process for changing obligations. Planning obligations What are planning obligations? Planning obligations are legal obligations entered into to mitigate the impacts of a...
Permitted development rights for householders: technical guidance Guidance on householder permitted development rights, which allow improvement and extension of homes without the need to make a planning application. Permitted development...
Neighbourhood planning The guidance explains the neighbourhood planning system introduced by the Localism Act, including key stages and considerations required. What is neighbourhood planning? What is neighbourhood planning? Neighbourhood planning...
Regulations: noise emissions from outdoor equipment Guidance for manufacturers, authorised representatives, and responsible persons. Overview Certain types of outdoor machinery are regulated to control the noise they produce in order...
Making an application Supports effective delivery of planning application process. Types of application What types of application are possible? There are 2 main types of application – applications for full...
Natural environment Explains key issues in implementing policy to protect and enhance the natural environment, including local requirements. Agricultural land, soil and brownfield land of environmental value How can planning...
Land affected by contamination Provides guiding principles on how planning can deal with land affected by contamination. This guide has been updated see previous version Land affected by contamination Why...
Light pollution Advises on how to consider light within the planning system. 1 November 2019: This guidance has been updated - see previous version. What light pollution considerations does planning...
Housing needs of different groups Advice on planning for the housing needs of different groups. Addressing the need for different types of housing How do the housing need of particular...
Housing: optional technical standards Guidance on how planning authorities can gather evidence to set optional requirements and the nationally described space standard. Introduction What are the new optional technical housing...
Housing and economic land availability assessment Sets out method for assessing housing and economic land availability. For plans under the new plan-making system If you are submitting your plan under the new...
Housing and economic needs assessment Guides councils in how to assess their housing needs. Housing need What is housing need? Housing need is an unconstrained assessment of the minimum number...
Green Belt Advice on the role of the Green Belt in the planning system. Scope of guidance This guidance sets out: the considerations involved in assessing the contribution Green Belt...
Healthy and safe communities Guidance on promoting healthy and safe communities. 22 July 2019: This guidance has been updated – see previous version. Achieving healthy and inclusive communities How can...
Determining a planning application Sets out process and expectations on planning performance and decision making. What are the time periods for determining a planning application? Once a planning application has...
Historic environment Advises on enhancing and conserving the historic environment. This guidance has been updated see previous version. Overview: historic environment What is the main legislative framework for the historic...
Community Infrastructure Levy This guidance explains what the Community Infrastructure Levy is and how it operates. This guidance explains what the Community Infrastructure Levy is and how it operates. It...
Biodiversity net gain Planning practice guidance on biodiversity net gain. Biodiversity net gain is a way of creating and improving biodiversity by requiring development to have a positive impact (‘net...
Climate change Advises how to identify suitable mitigation and adaptation measures in the planning process to address the impacts of climate change. Why is it important for planning to consider...
Air quality Provides guidance on how planning can take account of the impact of new development on air quality. 1 November 2019: This guidance has been updated - see previous...
Appeals Advice on planning appeals and the award costs. Planning appeals – general Is there a right of appeal against decisions on planning permission and other planning decisions? There is...
National design guide This guide illustrates how well-designed places that are beautiful, enduring and successful can be achieved in practice. The national design guide sets out the characteristics of well-designed...
National Model Design Code The National Model Design Code provides detailed guidance on the production of design codes, guides and policies to promote successful design. The National Model Design Code...
National planning policy for waste This document sets out the government's detailed waste planning policies. This document sets out detailed waste planning policies. It should be read in conjunction with...
Planning policy for traveller sites Government planning policy for traveller sites which should be read in conjunction with the National Planning Policy Framework. Following revisions to the National Planning Policy...
National Planning Policy Framework The National Planning Policy Framework sets out the government’s policies for plan-making and for making decisions on development proposals in England and how these are expected...