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Local Development Framework

Welcome to our web page on the Malvern Hills District Local Development Framework.

What's it all about?

The Planning system has an impact on the District through the management of land use and future development.  Balancing the need for new development against the need to protect the quality and unique elements of Malvern Hills District is one aspect which guides the District Council’s decisions but our vision is about building communities which provide for the needs of all.  Sustainable development is central to this aim.

Changes to the new national Planning system came into effect in September 2004.  A Local Development Framework (LDF) replaces the old system of County Structure Plans and Local Plans.  The development plan for our district will consist of the Regional Spatial Strategy, the Worcestershire County Council Minerals and Waste Plans and development plan documents prepared by the District Council.  The development plan will be the starting point in the consideration of planning applications.  It will provide the planning framework to guide future land use and planning decisions within the District.

The aim of the changes is to speed up the Plan process and provide greater flexibility so that we, as the local planning authority can respond more quickly to changing circumstances.

This is a fundamental review of the whole of the Planning system in England and Wales and includes the production of many new types of documents.

For more information on the new planning system and a summary of what happended during 2005 and what is planned for 2006 use the following link:

Local Development Framework Summary Leaflet This is a link to a PDF file. (212.00 KB)

What will the new LDF contain?

The LDF will consist of a series of Local Development Documents (LDDs). These include statutory development plan documents (DPDs) and supplementary planning documents (SPDs):

A visual guide to the Local Development Framework

Local Development Scheme (LDS) The Local Development Scheme (LDS) sets out the timetable for the documents that this Council will be producing as part of its Local Development Framework.  It provides a starting point for you to see what documentation will be produced and at what stage you can become involved in the process.
Statement of Community Involvement (SCI) This sets out how and when we will involve you in the creation of Planning documents to be included in the LDF and in making development control decisions.  The SCI is in the final stages of preparation.
Annual Monitoring Report (AMR) The purpose of the AMR is to report progress on the LDF against the timetable and milestones set out in the Local Development Scheme (LDS) and to assess the extent to which Local Development Documents and their policies are being implemented.
Core Strategy This sets out the land use vision and objectives for the District until the year 2026 and will replace certain policies in the Local Plan.  This will be a Joint Core Strategy involving collaborative work between Malvern Hills District, Worcester City and Wychavon District Councils.  Preparation on the DPD commenced in January 2007 with informal consultation in November/December 2007.
Site Allocations DPD This will identify the site specific allocations such as housing and employment use, and policy designations such as the Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, wildlife designations and Conservation Areas, the document will have to conform with the Core Strategy.  Preparation of the DPD is scheduled to commence in August 2008.
Development Control Policies DPD This will provide the detailed framework for development control decisions, the document will have to conform with the Core Strategy.  Preparation of the DPD is scheduled to commence in August 2008.
Supplementary Planning Guidance and Supplementary Planning Documents

Supplementary Planning Documents (SPD) will replace Supplementary Planning Guidance (SPG).  These documents cover a wide range of policy and site specific issues to support policies and proposals outlined in the Development Plan Documents.

SPD does not have development plan status but is used to provide more detail on policies set out in the development plan, is subject to extensive public consultation and are material considerations in the determination of planning applications.

If you are preparing a planning application you should consider the guidance set out in these documents, as well as the relevant policies in the Development Plan.

Developing and Managing the Evidence Base

A comprehensive evidence base is an essential part of ensuring that our policies and plans are soundly based and reflect needs and opportunities within the District.

Research and Evidence Gathering

What about the Existing Plan Documents?

Transitional arrangements for moving from the old to the new system allow some Plans to retain their development plan status and for their policies to remain saved for a period of time.

These Plans include:

  • The Worcestershire County Structure Plan (June 2001), policies saved for consideration until 2011.
  • The Malvern Hills District Local Plan -  which will be saved until 2009.
  • Our existing supplementary planning guidance on Affordable Housing and the North Site Development Brief and associated Affordable Housing Brief will also be saved until 2007.

As part of the revised development planning system, the Structure Plan is superseded by the West Midlands Regional Spatial Strategy (RSS) and local development documents, including the Core Strategy. Although some of the Structure Plan policies have been 'saved' in the interim,policies such as housing targets are not. Please click the below link for clarification as to which policies will expire as of 27th September 2007.

Expired Structure Plan Policies This is a link to a PDF file. (599.26 KB)

If you have any comments, please contact us:

Post your comments to: or you can:
Development Plans and Conservation Team
The Council House
Avenue Road
Malvern
WR14 3AF
Telephone: 01684 862151
Fax: 01684 574906
Minicom: 01684 862186
Email: worcestershirehub@malvernhills.gov.uk

Page Information:
Last modification: 14:32:21, 20th August, 2008 by James Brain
Review date: 18th November, 2008
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