Future Planning and Policies
Why do we need strong planning policies for the Broads?
Like the national parks, the Broads is a national asset. It has experienced steady development over many years, although the rate of development has fluctuated. As roads to the region improve, the Broads will continue to be an attractive area in which to live,work and visit. The wetland environment and the character of Broads villages are likely to come under increased development pressures related to tourism and other activities.
New developments need to be carefully considered on the basis of agreed policies. They must be well designed and carefully sited if they are to avoid looking out of place. In the past, badly designed and poorly located new buildings have damaged the distinctive character and landscape of the Broads. Other developments have damaged precious and fragile wildlife habitats. On the other hand, appropriately sited, well designed development of a good quality can enhance the area.
Strong planning policies are needed to control and guide new development and protect the Broads, making it a better place to live in and to visit. At the same time, development must be allowed to meet the needs of local people and the local economy.
Development Plan
The Development Plan has a special legal status and its policies are the starting point for decisions on planning applications, etc. The Development Plan for the Broads comprises:
- Broads Core Strategy DPD
- Broads Development Management Policies DPD
- The East of England Plan (Regional Spatial Strategy) (Nb.The Government has indicated its intention to revoke all such strategies)
- Some remaining ‘saved’ policies of the Broads Local Plan
- A few remaining policies in the Norfolk Structure Plan and the Suffolk Structure Plan
- The Minerals and Waste Development Plans of Norfolk and Suffolk County Councils
Local Development Framework
Following changes in planning legislation introduced under the Planning and Compulsory Purchase Act 2004, the Broads Authority is gradually replacing the Broads Local Plan and linked supplementary planning guidance with a new set of planning policy documents known as the Local Development Framework.
Other planning documents
The Broads Authority also produces other planning documents from time to time. The purpose of these may be to provide more detailed guidance on aspects of policy (e.g. a Supplementary Planning Document), for a particular site (e.g. a Development Brief), or general planning information. These documents can be found on our Planning Publications page.
