Local Development Framework (LDF)

Work has started on introducing new planning documents for North Somerset under the Local Development Framework (LDF), which sets out how future planning will be carried out in the district.

Under the Planning and Compulsory Purchase Act 2004 Structure Plans, Local Plans and Supplementary Planning Guidance are now replaced by the new Regional Spatial Strategies and a series of local planning documents which forms the Local Development Framework.

This is intended to be a more efficient system, helping to shape communities and achieve sustainable objectives.

The portfolio of documents include:

• Core Strategy - An overall vision and strategy for how development will be managed in North Somerset
• Housing and Related Sustainable Development Allocations - Shows sites to be allocated for housing, employment, community facilities etc
• Area Action Plans - Detailed policies and proposals for areas of change in the district
• Supplementary Planning Documents - Detailed guidance on specific subjects or sites
• Statement of Community Involvement - How we will involve the local community and other stakeholders of the LDF
• Annual Monitoring Report - Assesses progress made and the effectiveness of the LDF
• Replacement Local Plan - Forms a key component of the LDF but will be replaced by the Core Strategy, Area Action Plans and Allocations documents

Consultations

There are no current consultations on the Local Development framework.

Issues and Options consultation on the Core Strategy and Weston Town Centre Area Action Plan took place throughout October and November 2007 and represents the first stage of consultation on these two documents. Summaries of all of the responses and a Consultation Statement are available for each document by clicking the links below:

• Core Strategy consultation summaries
• Core Strategy Consultation Statement
• Weston Town Centre Area Action Plan consultation summaries
• Weston Town Centre Area Action Plan Consultation Statement

Consultation on the draft Dolphin Square Supplementary Planning Document took place from 19 November to 13 January 2008.

Consultation on the draft Affordable Housing Supplementary Planning Document took place from 29 November until 10 January 2008.

The Adopted North Somerset Local Plan and the Adopted Joint Replacement Structure Plan will be saved until 2007 as will all the associated Supplementary Planning Guidance documents.

The North Somerset Replacement Local Plan was adopted in March 2007 prepared under the Planning Act 1990.