Local development framework

New planning legislation introduced through the Planning and Compulsory Purchase Act 2004 required all local planning authorities to produce a new style of Local Plan, called a Local Development Framework (LDF).

The LDF consists of a series of documents that sets out detailed policies and specific proposals for guiding the future development and use of land within the borough up to 2026.  It will guide most day-to-day planning decisions and policies.

The LDF documents, when adopted, will replace the policies within the Local Plan.

It is designed to speed up the process, ensure better integration of environmental issues and be more accessible to the public.