Local Plan Glossary

Adoption

The final confirmation of a Local Development Document as having statutory status by a Local Planning Authority (LPA).

Annual Monitoring Report

A report submitted to the Government by local planning authorities assessing progress with and the effectiveness of a Local Development Framework. The recent planning reforms have changed the requirement. Now an Authority's Monitoring Report will be needed instead.

Appropriate Assessment

An Appropriate Assessment, also known as a Habitat Regulations Assessment, is required in order to assess the potential effect of the Local Plan on Ramsar sites (wetlands of international importance), Special Protection Areas (SPAs) and Special Areas of Conservation (SACs).

Authority's Monitoring Report

Core Document Library

A collection of background documents, studies and reports used in the preparation of a Development Plan Document.

Core Strategy & Policies

The Core Strategy is one of the development plan documents forming part of a local authority's Local Plan (formerly the LDF).  It sets out the long term vision (10+ years) for the area, the strategic objectives, and the strategic planning policies needed to deliver that vision.

Development Plan

Development Plan Document (DPD)

Development Plan Documents (DPD's) are the key statutory documents within the Local Plan that will set out the vision, strategy and policies for the area.  The Ipswich DPD's are the Core Strategy & Policies, Site Allocations & Policies and the IP-One Area Action Plan.

Evidence Base

The information and data gathered by local authorities to justify the 'soundness' of the policy approach set out in Local Development Documents, including physical, economic, and social characteristics of an area.

Examination in Public / Hearings

This is essentially a public inquiry conducted by an independent inspector to test the soundness of the documents produced as part of the Local Plan to decide if they are legally compliant and 'sound'.

IP-One Area Action Plan

An Area Action Plan is an optional Development Plan Document.   It is aimed at establishing a set of proposals and policies for the development of a specific area (such as a town centre or an area of new development)  The IP-One area broadly equates to the central part of Ipswich. It includes the town centre, the Waterfront, Ipswich Village and the Education Quarter.

Issues & Options

The name previously given to the earliest stage in the preparation of the development plan document when local planning authorities should gather evidence about their area and engage with stakeholders. Changes to the regulations in 2008 removed this term, however early engagement with stakeholders remains a requirement.

Local Development Framework (LDF)

The Local Development Framework (LDF) was introduced through the Planning and Compulsory Purchase Act 2004. The Local Development Framework replaced the previous system of Structure Plans and Local Plans. A local Development Framework was a set of documents that determined how development in an area would be planned over time. The Ipswich LDF consisted of a portfolio of planning documents: three development plan documents (the Core Strategy & Policies, Site Allocations & Policies and the IP-One Area Action Plan); the Statement of Community Involvement; the Annual Monitoring Report; Local Development Scheme; and Supplementary Planning Documents. The Government has now abandoned the term Local Development Framework and, through its recent reforms, switched to the term 'Local Plan' to describe the portfolio of documents.

Local Development Scheme (LDS)

The Local Development Scheme sets out the Council's project plan for the preparation of planning documents.  It lists the local development documents to be prepared and provides a timetable for producing them.

Local Plan

Neighbourhood Plans

Planning Inspector

Someone employed by the Planning Inspectorate, an independent agency of Government appointed by the Secretary of State to preside over inquiries into development plans and rule on planning appeals.

Preferred Options

This was previously a stage in plan preparation which followed the Issues and Options stage. It set out the preferred approach the authority was taking following consideration of the evidence and public consultation. Changes to the regulations in 2008 removed this stage.

Programme Officer

The Programme Officer is independent of the local authority and performs the liaison between the Planning Service, the Public and the appointed Inspector. His/her main function is to assist the Inspector in all procedural and administrative aspects of the Public Examination.

Proposals Map

An Ordnance Survey based map, which geographically explains the policies and proposals in the Development Plan Documents.

Proposed Focused Changes

Changes such as amended housing and employment figures, which affect certain policies but do not affect the overall strategy or sustainability of the submitted Core Strategy.

Regional Spatial Strategies (RSS)

The regional spatial strategy sets out the region's policies in relation to the development and use of land. It currently forms part of the development plan for local planning authorities. However the Government has stated its intention to abolish regional strategies.

Site Allocations & Policies

This document forms part of the Local Development Framework. It identifies specific sites for particular uses, such as housing, employment, retail, and open space, that will deliver the aims and vision of the Core Strategy.

Soundness

Soundness means founded on a robust and credible evidence base. For a DPD to be sound it must be positively prepared (to meet development needs) justified, effective (deliverable) and consistent with national policy.

Statement of Community Involvement (SCI)

The Statement of Community Involvement sets out how Ipswich Borough Council intends to involve the community in the planning system. This includes involvement in the preparation of plans, and the determination of planning applications.

Statutory

Required by law (statute), usually through an Act of Parliament.

Strategic Housing Land Availability Assessment (SHLAA)

The purpose of the Strategic Housing Land Availability Assessment (SHLAA) is to identify sites which may be suitable for housing development over the next 15 year. Each site within the SHLAA has been assessed to establish whether it is likely to be suitable for housing development and, if so, when it might come forward for development.  It is important to note that the SHLAA does not determine whether housing will be built on any particular site, but merely undertakes a technical exercise on the availability of land in the Borough.

Submission

The final stage in the preparation of Local Development Documents when they are submitted to the Secretary of State for independent examination by a Government appointed Planning Inspector.

Sustainability Appraisal

An appraisal of the social, economic and environmental effects of a plan to ensure it reflects sustainable development objectives. Sustainability appraisal is required for all development plan documents.