Local Development Framework

The Government is committed to revamping and updating the planning system in the United Kingdom.
It is keen to deliver a faster, more responsive and more inclusive process. Substantial changes to the system came into effect in late 2004. This involves the replacement of Local Plans (produced by each district level council) with Local Development Frameworks (LDF). 

In addition to increased community involvement, there is a greater emphasis on the environment and sustainable development.  Local Development Documents (LDD) will be subject to a Sustainability Appraisal and some will undergo an independant examination by an inspector before adoption.

• National circulars, planning policy statements and guidance -
  produced by the Department for Communities and Local Government.
• Regional Spatial Strategies - the East of England Plan is the relevant document which is produced by EERA. 
• Local Development Frameworks - these are produced by District and Borough Councils, while those relating to minerals and waste management are the responsibilities of County Councils.

The LDF is made up of Development Plan Documents (DPDs) and Supplementary Planning Documents (SPDs). These are subject to a Sustainability Appraisal and Strategic Environmental Assessment and each year an Annual Monitoring Report is to be produced. DPDs are the main documents of the LDF and set out detailed policies and proposals upon which development control decisions will be made. SPDs are subordinate to DPDs and must have a ‘parent’ DPD to which they relate. They set out, in further detail, additional information to assist the development process but do not form or contain policy.

Initial work on producing documents forming part of the new LDF is being carried out.  Under the Planning and Compulsory Purchase Act 2004 Babergh has published its Local Development Scheme (LDS).  This sets out the Council's intentions for preparing documents within the LDF over a three year period. 

The Council has produced Annual Monitoring Reports and the Council’s Statement of Community Involvement (PDF 386kb) was adopted on 19th December 2006. The Council is also exploring opportunities for joint working on LDF matters with its neighbouring Local Authorities.