Local Development Framework

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.

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
Planning Policy Consultation Portal .

If you require any assistance with our online consultations please contact us either by e-mail or by telephone on 01271 388763.

How the LDF process works

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.

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

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.

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.

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.

Strategic Housing Land Availability Assessment

Central Government requires all Councils to maintain a ‘5 year land supply’ (PPS3) – enough identified housing land to deliver required housing needs for at least the next 5 years. Identified land must be suitable for housing, readily available and with a reasonable prospect of being built within 5 years.

A formal Strategic Housing Land Availability Assessment (SHLAA) will be undertaken in 2009. The methodology for undertaking this assessment will be published for public consultation. In April 2008 the Council had identified enough available housing land for more than the next 7 years.

Please note: other monitoring documents, including Housing Land Availability figures and the LDF Evidence Base can be found on our main page.

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.