In their Planning and Compulsory Purchase Act (2004), the Government announced proposals for reforming the planning system. These include the introduction of 'Regional Spatial Strategies' (RSS) and the replacement of the current Local Plans system with 'Local Development Frameworks'. Structure Plans are to be abolished under the new planning system. However, policies contained within the present Nottinghamshire and Nottingham Joint Structure Plan will still apply (they will be 'saved') for three years from its adoption, or until it is superseded by the RSS.
Local Development Frameworks are effectively a 'portfolio' of Local Development Documents which collectively deliver the spatial planning strategy for the Local Planning Authority's area. All Local Development Documents must be subject to rigorous procedures of community involvement, consultation and independent examination. They can only be adopted after receipt of an Inspector's binding report. Indeed, one of the documents to be produced is a Statement of Community Involvement. In addition, there must be both a Sustainability Appraisal and a Strategic Environmental Assessment of the Local Development Documents.
The Borough Council is required to publish a Local Development Scheme within six months of the commencement of the Planning and Compulsory Purchase Act 2004. This means the first Local Development Scheme had to be submitted to the Government Office for the East Midlands by 24 March 2005, although a revised Local Development Scheme was brought into effect on 17 November 2006.
The Local Development Scheme sets out:
- Which documents will be Development Plan Documents.
- The subject matter of each document.
- The timetable for the preparation and revision of each document.
The Local Development Scheme proposes a number of documents be prepared, and sets a timetable for their preparation. Main documents proposed are detailed below.
Following the publication of proposed changes to the East Midlands Regional Plan, the authorities within the Greater Nottingham area have agreed to produce an ‘aligned’ Core Strategy. Subsequently, it is necessary for the Local Development Scheme to be revised to reflect this.
New Local Development Schemes are being produced by all authorities within the Nottingham Core Housing Market Area for submission to the Government Office for the East Midlands. It is intended that the new Local development Scheme will be in place by April 2009.
Rushcliffe Development Framework - Core Strategy Option for Consultation
For more information and details of the consultation please visit the Core Strategy section. Saved policies
Under the Planning and Compulsory Purchase Act 2004, which brought in the system of Local Development Frameworks (LDF), the policies in the adopted Rushcliffe Replacement Local Plan (1996) expire on the 27 September 2007 unless they have been formally saved. The Council has now received formal direction from the Government Office for the East Midlands saving 6 policies of the adopted plan beyond this period. The Saved Polices page of the website sets out more details of the policies of the adopted plan which have now been saved.
If you would like to be kept informed of updates relating to the Local Development Framework, please complete the online request form.
Development Plan Documents
Local Development documents set out planning policy for the area. Those proposed for the Borough:
- Core Strategy.
- Site specific proposals.
- Generic Development Control Policies.
Non-Development Plan Documents
These are in effect 'Supplementary Planning documents.' They can be included in the local development framework and may form part of the planning framework for the area. They will not be subject to independent examination. They will not form part of the statutory development plan. They should be the subject of procedures for community involvement. Those proposed for the Borough:
Guidance: Rushcliffe Interim Planning Statement 2007
The purpose of the
Rushcliffe Interim Planning Statement is to assist determination of planning applications being submitted ahead of progress being made on the Local Development Framework and provide, in addition to existing sources, guidance as to matters the Council feel need to be adequately addressed as part of any development proposals.
Statement of Community Involvement
Rushcliffe Borough Council has now produced a Statement of Community Involvement. This document outlines Council procedures for community involvement in creating Local Development Documents. It also outlines Council procedures for consultation on planning applications. More detailed information about the new planning procedures can be found on the Planning Portal website.
Annual monitoring report
The Annual Monitoring Report (AMR) forms part of the Local Development Framework, and aims to assess the implementation of the Local Development Scheme and the extent to which policies in Local Development Documents are being successfully implemented.
The Annual Monitoring Report covers the period 1 April to 31 March.
The report sets out in detail how progress is being made on the elements of the Local Development Framework currently in production. In addition it provides details of how the Borough is performing against the Core Development Indicators, as well as providing details of general social, environmental and economic effects as background information about conditions within the Borough.
A copy of the 2008/09 report can be downloaded below as well as the two previous reports for the 2007/08 and 2006/07 periods.
Sustainability Appraisal
The Planning and Compulsory Purchase Act requires that the documents within the Local Development Framework must be subjected to a Sustainability Appraisal (SA). This process must be undertaken during all stages of producing each document, and is intended to ensure the principles of sustainable development are taken into account.
The SA process also incorporates the requirements of EU Directive 2001/42/EC, which requires formal strategic environmental assessment of plans and programmes likely to have a significant effect on the environment. An Interim Sustainability Appraisal Report has been produced. The Interim Sustainability Appraisal Report is open for comments up until 5m on 12 April 2010.
Nottingham Core Housing Market Area Strategic Land Availability Assessment
Following the publication of the Government’s Housing Green Paper in July 2007 the planning authorities in Greater Nottingham are undertaking a joint Strategic Housing Land Availability Assessment for the Nottingham Core Housing Market Area. It is anticipated that the outcome of this assessment will be available in December 2007. For further information on this process please contact a member of the Planning Policy team.
