The Planning Process
The Planning Process
The Planning System provides society with a way of controlling how we use land, what we build and where we build it. This function is carried out by Local Planning Authorities; the Broads Authority is the Local Planning Authority for The Broads area.
Local Planning Authorities prepare and adopt documents called development plans, consisting of maps and written policies, which set out what development will be permitted where and in what circumstances.
The development plan for The Broads currently comprises the Norfolk and Suffolk Structure Plans which set out overall strategic policies and the Broads Local Plan which contains more detailed policies. We are in the process of preparing a Local Development Framework for The Broads which will replace the Structure and Local plans. In preparing this plan we take account of national and regional policies and consultation with local communities and stakeholders. More details can be found on our Planning Policy pages.
As well as producing plans and policies, the planning system operates a development control system to make sure that proposed development conforms to the development plan, current planning policies and other 'material' considerations. The process of submitting planning applications - for all development, large or small - is part of the development control system. The development control system helps to balance our need for uses of land and buildings such as homes, offices and employment uses with our need to protect and improve the environment.
