Stockton-on-Tees Borough Council

Local Development Framework

Following the introduction of the Planning and Compulsory Purchase Act 2004 in September 2004, a number of changes were made to the Planning system. The Act requires that Local Planning Authorities prepare a Local Development Framework (LDF). This is a collection of documents that sets out the Council's policies for meeting the community's economic, environmental and social aims for the future, where this affects the development and use of land.

The Spatial Planning Team prepare the Local Development Framework according to Planning Policy Statement 12 (PPS 12). PPS 12 was prepared by the Department for Communities and Local Government. It explains what local spatial planning is, and how it benefits communities. It also sets out what the key ingredients of local spatial plans are and the key government policies on how they should be prepared. The current version of PPS12 and the regulations that accompany it were published in June 2008, and replace the previous versions from September 2004. The regulations will come into force on 1 September 2008.

We have produced two short documents to help people understand and comment on the LDF. They are The Local Development Framework Explained - A Short Guide to Spatial Planning and The Way Planning Policy is Made and a Glossary which explains some of the terms which are used in LDF documents. These are available to download below. We will update these documents with details of the 2008 PPS 12 and amended regulations in the near future.

If you would like any further information or guidance, please contact us on the number above.