Planning Policy - Local Development Framework
Introduction to the Local Development Framework
Under the Planning and Compulsory Purchase Act 2004, the Authority is producing a Local Development Framework (LDF). The LDF is gradually replacing the Broads Local Plan and linked supplementary planning guidance. It contains a set of Local Development Documents that together will set out the spatial policies and proposals for development and land use in The Broads. These policies will be used in determining planning applications. An outline of the different types of documents in the LDF is given below.
Local Development Scheme
The Local Development Scheme (word document) [453kb] sets out what Local Development Documents we propose to prepare over a rolling three-year period, and the timetable for their preparation. It also sets out the policies we wish to save from the Broads Local Plan, until these are replaced by a new development plan. The Local Development Scheme allows local communities and stakeholders to see what is being proposed and when they can get involved.
Please note: The key preparation and consultation dates for our Development Policies DPD, as set out in the current Local Development Scheme, have been revised. For more information, see the section below on the Development Policies DPD.
Local Development Documents
The LDF is a framework, or folder, of Local Development Documents (LDDs). LDDs provide the policies for meeting the economic, environmental and social aims for the future of The Broads, where this affects the development and use of land. The main types of LDD are:
Development Plan Documents (DPDs) are planning policy documents with statutory development plan status. This means that planning decisions must be made in accordance with these documents, except in exceptional circumstances.
Supplementary Planning Documents (SPDs) support Development Plan Documents. They can cover a wide range of issues, providing detailed guidance and advice. They do not have statutory status in the way that DPDs do, but they are material considerations in decision making.
Area Action Plans provide a planning framework for areas of significant change and areas of conservation.
Proposals Maps are Ordnance Survey based maps illustrating the policies and proposals in the DPDs and any saved policies included in the LDF.
Core Strategy DPD
The Core Strategy DPD is the first Development Plan Document to be prepared by the Authority as part of its Local Development Framework. It is a key document that sets out the vision for The Broads until 2021, including environmental, social and economic objectives and primary policies for achieving that vision. The Core Strategy was formally adopted by the Authority on 28 September 2007. The Core Strategy DPD, Sustainability Appraisal, Inspector's Report and other supporting documents may be viewed by clicking on the link below. Paper and CD versions of the Core Strategy are available from the Authority's head office. Click on the link below for full details.
Development Policies DPD (previously titled 'Development Control Policies DPD')
Development policies focus on key planning and development issues that affect those who live in, work in and visit The Broads, such as development within the flood plain and economic development in a protected landscape. These detailed policies, developed from the Core Strategy policies, will be used in determining planning applications.
The Development Policies DPD is currently in preparation. We have already consulted on issues and options for the policies, and on a set of Preferred Options. We have also consulted on a draft Sustainability Appraisal and Appropriate Assessment of the Preferred Options. Consultation documents and responses to date may be viewed by clicking on the link below.
Preparing the Development Control Policies DPD - consultation to date
Following consultation on Preferred Options for the DPD, the draft policy on residential moorings was revised. Consultation on the proposed new policy was carried out in August - September 2008. More information is available on the Recent Consultations page.
Latest news: The Development Policies DPD is currently being prepared for 'pre-submission publication'. At this stage, the DPD will be made available for a minimum of six weeks to allow representations to be made on its 'soundness', before it is submitted to the Secretary of State for independent examination. Any such representations will be considered by the Inspector appointed to carry out the examination. Details of the pre-submission publication stage, and how representations may be made, will be published on this page.
Development and Flood Risk SPD
Most of The Broads area consists of low lying land within the flood plain, and the risk of flooding is a major issue. Planning policy and guidance on development and flood risk in The Broads is guided by national planning policy and by a local Strategic Flood Risk Assessment.
The Development and Flood Supplementary Planning Document (SPD) was adopted in September 2008, following a process of document preparation and consultation. The SPD, which supports the Core Strategy policy on development in flood risk zones, provides advice and guidance on appropriate development and design and management of flood risk. To view the SPD and supporting documents, click on the links below.
Development and Flood Risk SPD (word document) [482kb]
Development and Flood Risk SPD (pdf document) [954kb]
Development and Flood Risk SPD - Adoption Notice (word document) [106kb]
Development and Flood Risk SPD - Consultation Statement (word document) [173kb]
Proposals Maps
Alongside the production of new development management policies, the Authority needs to replace the proposals maps that accompany the current adopted Local Plan. After consulting on a set of draft proposals maps, we have prepared a set of submission proposals maps. These maps are awaiting endorsement by the Authority before being submitted to the Secretary of State. At the same time, we will publish them for further consultation. It is intended that the final set of maps will be published in A1 size to show greater detail. The draft maps published here reflect the Broads Authority report published on the Committees and Forums page.
Ant Valley (pdf document) [182kb]
Upper Bure (pdf document) [184kb]
Central Bure (pdf document) [196kb]
Lower Bure (pdf document) [197kb]
Upper Yare (pdf document) [187kb]
Central Yare (pdf document) [186kb]
Lower Yare (pdf document) [205kb]
Chet Valley (pdf document) [158kb]
Thurne Valley (pdf document) [187kb]
Trinity (pdf document) [194kb]
Upper Waveney (pdf document) [182kb]
Central Waveney (pdf document) [184kb]
Lower Waveney (pdf document) [207kb]
Statement of Community Involvement (SCI)
The Statement of Community Involvement (SCI) sets out how the Authority intends to involve local communities and other stakeholders in the production of its Local Development Documents. The first SCI was adopted in January 2006 and a first revision adopted in March 2008. The adopted Statement of Community Involvement (First Revision), together with the Inspector's Report and adoption statement, may be viewed by clicking on the links below. Paper copies are available from our head office at Dragonfly House, 2 Gilders Way, Norwich NR3 1UB.
Statement of Community Involvement First Revision (word document) [311kb]
SCI First Revision - Inspector's Report (word document) [76kb]
SCI First Revision - Adoption Statement (word document) [264kb]
In 2008, the Government revised its guidance and regulations on Local Development Frameworks, giving local planning authorities more flexibility in the way they consult people. Although the stages of document preparation have changed under the new regulations, the SCI will not be revised at this time. However, ensuring appropriate community involvement in the preparation process will remain a key aim.
Annual Monitoring Report (AMR)
The Annual Monitoring Report (AMR) is a requirement of the new planning system. It includes an assessment of progress in preparing the Local Development Documents against the timetable (Local Development Scheme). It also includes annual reporting on a set of Sustainability Appraisal Indicators, Core Output Indicators set by Government, and other Contextual Indicators chosen by the Authority. The AMR 2007/08 was submitted to the Government Office for the East of England (GO-East) in December 2008.
Annual Monitoring Report 2007/08 (pdf document) [1.1mb]
Annual Monitoring Report 2006/2007 (pdf document) [1.08mb]
Annual Monitoring Report 2005/2006 (pdf document) [855kb]
Annual Monitoring Report 2004/2005 (word document) [848kb]
Sustainability Appraisal and Strategic Environmental Assessment (SA and SEA)
A Sustainability Appraisal (SA) appraises the social, environmental and economic effects of the strategies and policies in a Local Development Document. A Strategic Environmental Assessment (SEA) considers the environmental impact of such strategies and policies. SAs and SEAs ensure that Local Development Documents reflect sustainable development objectives. They also help to ensure that the documents are consistent with each other. SAs and SEAs are published in a Sustainability Appraisal Report.
Current Planning Policy
Policies in the Broads Local Plan 1997 (word document) [706kb] and in existing Structure Plans are saved for a period of three years from the start of the Local Development Framework planning system, unless replacement Local Development Documents are adopted within this three-year period. Existing policies will continue to be used for development control decision-making during this period.
More detailed information may be found in Planning Policy Statement 12 (Local Development Frameworks) published by HMSO, or by visiting the Government website at www.communities.gov.uk. For an explanation of terms used in the new planning system, click on the following link: LDF Glossary (word document) [32kb].
