Local Development Framework

The Planning and Compulsory Purchase Act 2004 came into effect in September 2004.  It Involves changes to the planning system, including the way development plans are prepared. Structure Plans will be phased out and planning at regional and district level will become more important.  The government has produced guidance on this new approach (Planning Policy Statement 12) and companion guide, Creating Local Development Frameworks.

The Local Development Framework is a new form of planning policy that will in time replace the Local Plan.  It comprises of a number of different types of document including a Local Development Scheme, a Statement of Community Involvement, a Core Strategy and other more detailed Development Plan Documents and Supplementary Planning Documents, as well as an Annual Monitoring Report.  For more information about the new system of plan making, visit the Department of Communities & Local Government website using link to the right.

Work started on the North Dorset Local Development Framework in 2005.

The New Plan will form part of and become the overarching development plan document of the Local Development Framework (LDF).

Other Local Development Documents (LDD) in the LDF include:

Local Development Scheme

The Local Development Scheme (LDS) sets out the timetable over the next three years for the preparation of documents that will be included in the LDF.  It identifies key dates in plan preparation including opportunities for the public to participate in the process.  This is the 4 revision which came into effect on the 7 April 2009.

Statement of Community Involvement

The Statement of Community Involvement (SCI) sets out how and when the Council will involve the community and other interested people and organisations in the preparation of planning policy documents and in the consideration of planning applications in North Dorset.  The current SCI was adopted by the Council on 28 July 2006.  The Council intends to update the SCI to reflect the new Planning Regulations introduced in 2008.

Annual Monitoring Report

The Annual Monitoring Report (AMR) checks progress in the preparation of the LDF against the timetable set out in the LDS and assesses to what extent the policies in the Development Plan Documents are delivering objectives. 

Village and Town Design Statements

Village and Town Design Statements (V/TDS) describe the distinctive characteristics of a village or parish and provide design guidance to influence future development and improve the physical qualities of the area.

Managing HousingLand Supply SPD

The Managing Housing Land Supply in North Dorset Supplementary Planning Document (SPD) was adopted on 27 July 2007.  The SPD was necessary to manage the ‘oversupply’ of housing in the District.  It examines the current housing land supply situation and the delivery of affordable housing in relation to Local Plan targets.  It also explains how the Council will manage the release of the Local Plan’s remaining unimplemented housing allocations and indicates how the Council will manage the release of further non-allocated housing sites.

Please call Planning Policy at North Dorset District Council on (01258) 484201 or e-mail us for more details of this service.

Please note that we can not give information on development control issues, including progress on planning applications. For times when duty officers are available, please see the Development Control pages.