What is a local plan?

Local Plan and neighbourhood planning

The Local Plan (sometimes referred to as 'The Local Development Plan') is a set of policies and land allocations that will guide the future of our district up to 2031.

The Local Plan is currently being prepared. Once adopted, all planning applications will be assessed against the policies in the Local Plan.

Also on adoption, the Local Plan will replace the Core Strategy DPD, Development Control Policies DPD, Site Specific Policies DPD and 'saved' Policy CNF6 from the Local Plan 2004.

Further detailed information is provided on the Local Plan webpage.

Adopted Development Plan FAQs

Below are our most frequently asked questions about the Development Plan, Local Development Framework and Local Plan (also sometimes know as 'Local Development Plan'), and their answers. Just click on a question to see the answer.

If you need more information or have a different question to ask, please get in touch using the contact details at the bottom of the page.

Questions

What is the Development Plan?

Planning policies and proposals that guide the development and use of land in the district are set out in the Development Plan.

All planning applications are assessed against the planning policies included in the Development Plan.

The Development Plan is a set of documents, and consists of documents produced us and Cambridgeshire County Council.

Further detailed information is provided on the Adopted Development Plan - Overview webpage.

What is the Local Development Framework?

The Local Development Framework (LDF) sets out the planning policies that provide a framework to guide new development in the district.

All planning applications are assessed against the planning policies included in the LDF.

The LDF consists of a set of documents. Further detailed information is provided on the Local Development Framework - Overview webpage.

What is a Development Plan Document (DPD)?

These documents set out planning policies for the district on a wide range of topics and for site specific proposals such as housing, employment and open space allocations.

DPDs form part of the Local Development Framework, and also form part of the adopted development plan.

To see the DPDs adopted by South Cambridgeshire District Council, please visit the Local Development Framework webpages.

What is an Area Action Plan (AAP)?

These documents set out detailed planning policies for a specific site or area, and form part of the Local Development Framework

AAPs form part of the adopted development plan.

To see the AAPs adopted by South Cambridgeshire District Council, please visit the Local Development Framework webpages.

To see what AAPs are currently being prepared, please visit: What new Area Action Plans are being prepared?

What is a Supplementary Planning Document (SPD)?

These documents provide further detailed guidance on specific topics or sites. SPDs expand upon policy or provide further detail to policies in adopted Development Plan Documents.

SPDs form part of the Local Development Framework, but do not form part of the adopted development plan.

To see the complete list of SPDs adopted by us, please visit: Adopted Supplementary Planning Documents

To see what SPDs are currently being prepared, please visit: What new Supplementary Planning Documents are being prepared?

How are Supplementary Planning Documents (SPDs) produced?

All Supplementary Planning Documents are produced by completing the following stages:

Evidence gathering and preparation of draft SPD and draft Sustainability Appraisal
Public consultation (6 weeks) on the draft SPD and draft Sustainability Appraisal
Consideration of comments received and finalise the SPD and Sustainability Appraisal
Adoption of SPD

What is a Local Development Scheme (LDS)?

This sets out what planning policy documents the Council intends to produce and the timetables for their preparation.

To see the latest LDS, please visit: Local Development Scheme

What is the Adopted Proposals Map?

The Adopted Proposals Map shows the boundaries of planning policies contained in the adopted development plan that have spatial implications, such as housing, employment and open space allocations, and village development frameworks.

To see the Adopted Proposals Map, please visit: Adopted Proposals Map

What is a Statement of Community Involvement (SCI)?

This document provides information on how the Council will involve the community and other stakeholders in the planning process.

To see the SCI, please visit: Statement of Community Involvement

What is an Annual Monitoring Report (AMR)?

This document is updated annually and:

assesses the performance of individual planning policies included in the adopted Local Development Framework or Local Plan;
assesses the Council’s progress in producing its documents set out in the Local Development Scheme;
gives details of what action the Council has taken relating to the Duty to Co-operate; and
gives details of any neighbourhood plans or neighbourhood development orders that have been made.

To see the latest AMR, please visit: Annual Monitoring Report

Where can I find the Council’s latest five year housing land supply position?

Our five year housing land supply position is published in the Annual Monitoring Report.