Local Development Framework

Current consultations

As with the Local Plan, we will consult on the documents that make up the LDF. Current documents for consultation can be found on our consultation portal

If you require any assistance with our online consultations please contact us:
e-mail: ldf@northdevon.gov.uk
Telephone: 01271 388763
Fax: 01271 388333

Joint Consultations

Please note: Some of our documents that have been produced jointly with Torridge District Council may be hosted on their consultation portal which can be found by clicking the link below

What is the Local Development Framework?

The local development framework (LDF) is a new plan system to manage how development takes place in towns and the countryside.

In practical terms, the LDF is a collection of local development documents (LDDs) outlining how planning will be managed. It replaces a single large document like the local plan, which currently sets the framework for development in an area.

As a result, parts of the existing North Devon Local Plan, which currently sets the development framework, will be replaced by a series of new LDDs until the plan has been replaced in its entirety.

How the LDF process works

Strategic Housing Land Availability Assessment (SHLAA)

North Devon Council is are working with other authorities to ensure that there is enough suitable land available to deliver future housing requirements.

We preparing a Strategic Housing Land Availability Assessment (SHLAA) for their area to identify sites with potential for housing development.

Core Strategy Development Plan Document

A core strategy is being prepared jointly with Torridge District Council.

The core strategy is a document that will set out the vision, strategic objectives and spatial strategy for delivering future development across northern Devon until 2026. It will help to achieve sustainable development and create more sustainable communities. It will replace parts of the adopted Local Plans and the Devon Structure Plan.

The Core Strategy Issues and Options Report was published jointly with Torridge District Council in November 2007 and was out for public consultation between November 2007 and January 2008.  
Over 2300 representations were received.

Issues and Options Feedback Report

The Core Strategy Issues and Options Feedback Report summarises the comments received during the consultation period, the Councils’ responses, agreed actions and issues to be addressed by policies.

Engagement Plan

The Core Strategy will be prepared in accordance with the Project Implementation Document (PID) and the draft LDS. We have prepared an Engagement Plan setting out how the Councils propose to engage in preparing the Core Strategy.

Supplementary Planning Documents (SPDs)

Supplementary Planning Documents (SPDs) supplement policies and proposals in the adopted North Devon Local Plan.

They provide additional guidance and details on how sites should be developed, clarify how policies will be interpreted and set out procedures that should be followed. The council has adopted a variety of supplementary planning documents (SPDs) since the North Devon Local Plan was adopted in July 2006.

Each Supplementary Planning Document was prepared alongside a Sustainability Appraisal and involved formal public consultation over a six week period, including public exhibitions and meetings. Amendments were made as a result of comments received.

There are also several adopted Supplementary Planning Guidance documents (SPGs) which are still relevant.  They can be found within the relevant section above together with their SPD counterparts.

Local Development Scheme (LDS)

The LDS lists all of the new Local Development Documents (LDDs) that are to be prepared for North Devon together with a proposed timetable for their production.

The LDS for North Devon came into effect in June 2007. It should be read in conjunction with the Local Development Schemes prepared by other Local Planning Authorities. The Minerals and Waste Development Scheme includes proposed minerals and waste documents to cover the whole of Devon. The Exmoor National Park Development Scheme sets out the LDDs that will cover the parts of North Devon district within Exmoor National Park.

North Devon and Torridge Councils have jointly prepared a revised LDS covering both Districts.  It sets out the proposed timetable to which we are working.  This LDS review has been submitted to GOSW but remains draft.  Progress will be reported here.

Annual Monitoring Report (AMR)

The AMR assesses the implementation of the Local Development Scheme and the extent to which policies in the Local Development Framework (LDF) are being implemented successfully.

Statement Of Community Involvement (SCI)

The SCI demonstrates how the Council intend to consult with and engage the community on a range of issues in the future. It sets out how the Council will involve particular community groups and stakeholders for the different types of documents that will be produced to make up the Local Development Framework for North Devon. For each of the new Local Development Documents to be prepared, the Statement of Community Involvement (SCI) will set out when consultation will take place, with whom the Council will engage and how the public can get involved at each stage of the process. The SCI will also set out how the community will be consulted for major planning applications.

Sustainability Appraisal Framework

All documents within the Local Development Framework (apart from the Statement of Community Involvement) need to be prepared alongside a Sustainability Appraisal to ensure that their impacts on the environment, society and the economy are assessed properly. A separate Sustainability Appraisal is required at each stage in their preparation.

Sustainability Appraisals will incorporate Strategic Environmental Assessments required under the European SEA Directive.

The links to the Sustainability Appraisals for individual Local Development Documents are provided alongside the links for the corresponding documents. The following background documents will be relevant to all Sustainability Appraisals.

If you would like to know more about the Local Development Framework and be kept informed of its key stages, then please complete and return a contact information form . It can be posted to the Planning Policy team at the Civic Centre, Barnstaple; faxed to 01271 388333; or completed online.