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Local development framework

The Local Development Framework (LDF) is a collection of planning policy documents for the Borough.  These are individually known as Local Development Documents (LDDs).  Rochdale's LDF will comprise the following: 

Development Plan Documents (DPD)

These will be prepared to set out both broad spatial planning policies for key areas and land-uses, and detailed land allocations.  They set out the Council’s policies for meeting the communities’ economic, environmental and social aims for the future of their area where this affects the development and use of land. Once adopted, they are the primary consideration in determining planning applications.  DPD s will comprise the following:

No timetable yet for the following DPD s : Allocations, Proposals Maps and Development Control Policies.

The strategic policies of the Regional Spatial Strategy (RSS) also form part of the Borough’s LDF .  All policies in DPD s must conform to the  RSS and other government planning policy.  The preparation of the  RSS will be the responsibility of the North West Regional Assembly and will have to be approved by the Department for Communities and Local Government.  Each DPD will be prepared in stages and this will include consultation with interested parties and the local community.  Objections will be considered by an independent planning inspector appointed by the Secretary of State, whose recommendations will be binding on the Council.

Other Local Development Documents (LDD)

Background

These LDF documents will be prepared as needed to guide certain types of development or to guide development in certain parts of the borough.  They include policies and guidance to help the Council make decisions on planning applications and to promote investment and regeneration, and integrate land uses and transport. The preparation of the LDF will be a continuous one and over time the  LDF will replace the borough’s Unitary Development Plan (UDP) adopted in June 2006.  The new system of LDF s was introduced in 2004 by the Planning and Compulsory Purchase Act 2004.

Other requirements
Sustainability appraisals

Sustainable development is a term that has been commonly used since the Earth Summit at Rio de Janeiro in 1992.  Its aim is to balance economic progress with social and environmental needs.  A widely used definition was drawn up by the world commission on Environment and Development in 1987.  "Development that meets the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs".

Sustainability Appraisal (SA) is a process which provides a mechanism for balancing the often conflicting needs of economic, social and environmental issues and identifies how improvements or compromises can be made to agree on the most sustainable outcome.

In accordance with the Planning and Compulsory Purchase Act 2004, all DPD s and SPD s are Subject to SA .

Consultation

All  DPD s and the SCI will be prepared in full consultation with the local community and adopted by the Council following independent and binding examination by an Inspector appointed by the Planning Inspectorate.

All  SPD s will be prepared and adopted by the Council in full consultation with the local community.

The LDS will be prepared and adopted by the Council in consultation with the Local Strategic Partnership, subject to the approval of the Department for Communities and Local Government.

To assist community involvement in the preparation of LDF documents, a consultation database is being complied.  Many organisations have responded through the publicity on the Statement of Community Involvement but any Individual or organisations who wish to be involved in the LDF should register with the Strategic Planning Service database so that they may be informed/consulted on the relevant document at the appropriate time.

Its scope and influences

The policies and guidance in the LDF will be influenced by:

  • Government legislation and national planning policy contained in Planning Policy Guidance Notes (PPGs), which are slowly being replaced by Planning Policy Statements (PPSs)
  • Regional policy as contained in the Regional Spatial Strategy for the North West (RSS).
  • The Council’s Community Strategy and sub-regional / local strategies and programmes
  • A Sustainability Appraisal to ensure that environmental, social and economic issues have been properly considered and balanced.
  • Evidence Base - Consists of a range of documents that set the planning policy context, and studies which analyse the demographic, economic, social and environmental factors, that are used to support and justify policy formulation.

Further information

Further information about the purpose, scope and content of LDF s can be found in the following documents published by the Office for the Deputy Prime Minister in late 2004 (Now called Communities and Local Government):

  • Planning Policy Statement 12 (PPS 12): Local Development Frameworks
  • Creating Local Development Frameworks – A Companion Guide to PPS 12