Unlike the UDP, which was prepared all together as a single document, the LDF will comprise a portfolio of separate Local Development Documents each of which can be prepared and reviewed independently.  Some documents will be part of the statutory development plan (known as Development Plan Documents) whilst others will be non-statutory Supplementary Planning Documents, including site development briefs and guidance on topics such as affordable housing, replacing current Supplementary Planning Guidance.

Development Plan Documents (DPDs) will progressively replace parts of the adopted UDP First Alteration, which will remain in force until the new DPDs begin to be adopted by the Council, from 2008 onwards.

Important Notice - Extension of Saved Policies:

Refer to Secretary of State's Direction under Paragraph 1(3) of Schedule 8 of the Planning and Compulsory Purchase Act 2004, to see the UDP policies and proposals that apply after 27 September 2007.   A copy of the Direction is available in Downloads.

Under the Planning & Compulsory Purchase Act 2004, the Council must publish and maintain a scheme known as the `Local Development Scheme' (LDS).  Its purpose is to set out publicly the programme showing which Local Development documents the Council intends to produce over the next three years and the timetable for preparing each document.  The LDS explains the purpose of each of the documents and helps everyone to be aware of the different stages at which they can be involved.  It also provides information about the UDP Saved Policies. It will be updated annually.

The latest version of the scheme, the LDS 2007 was approved by the Council on the 12 September 2007 and a copy is available under `Downloads'. The LDS and Direction are available to view at Council offices and main libraries. Alternatively, a copy can be obtained free of charge from the Spatial Policy Group (use the 'Contact Us - Spatial Policy' link to request a copy).

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In June 2008, the Government published a new Planning Policy Statement 12: Local Spatial Planning, which changed the process for preparing LDF documents.  The issues and options and preferred options stages have been merged and the Council no longer has to undertake preferred options consultation on any development plan documents.  Instead, we need to show that we have involved stakeholders, under-represented, community and specific interest groups and, where appropriate local residents the businesses in identifying what the document should include, considering alternative options and deciding the final content of the document.

Another change is that before submitting a development plan document, we must publish it.  This is not a public consultation stage but is when formal representations on the soundness of the document can be made.  These will be taken into account at the public examinations.

As the LDS 2007 was prepared before June 2008, the scheme does not include the new process.  We do not have to prepare a revised LDS but do need to provide up-to-date and `real time’ information about preparing the LDF.  The timetable showing the key milestones for each document, as set out in the LDS 2007, is available in `Downloads’.  The timetable also identifies any `slippage’ and shows revised key milestones.

We will outline, on a regular basis, why documents may not be proceeding in accordance with the agreed timetable and review and update the key milestones for each document.  So if you wish to check progress of the LDF and be kept informed of opportunities to participate in the preparation of and/or comment on the LDF please add this page to your favourites and visit regularly.  Alternative, you could register with our LDF Online Consultation Portal.  See `Related Links’.

a)   Core Strategy Development Plan Document
The document was adopted by the Council on 15 April 2009.  It was delivered in accordance with the LDS 2007, except that the receipt of the Inspector’s Report was delayed by a month due to additional hearings being held in December 2008.  These hearings were held to enable all parties to prepare and present further evidence requested by the Inspector.  The estimated date for adoption of the document by the Council was 31 March 2009. 

b)   Development Policies Development Plan Document
The document was adopted by the Council on 15 April 2009.  It was delivered in accordance with the LDS 2007 and ahead of the estimated date for adoption which was 30 April 2009. 

c)   Site Specific Proposals Development Plan Document
Early stages of the document were delivered in accordance with the LDS 2007.  More recently, we have been unable to meet the milestones set out in the LDS 2007 due to a number of factors.

Core Strategy – There are a number of strategic issues in the Core Strategy and Development Policies documents that will impact on the content of the document.  These issues could only be clarified after the documents were adopted.

Regional Spatial Strategy – The Government published The Regional Spatial Strategy – The Yorkshire and Humber Plan – The Plan (RSS) in May 2008.  The RSS covers topics such as housing, employment land, transport and regeneration and identifies the scale of growth, locations for growth and infrastructure needed to accommodate growth.  All LDF documents have to conform to the RSS and therefore it can have a significant impact on the preparation of documents.  The RSS stated that we are required to provide a significant amount of additional land for housing which has to be shown in the document.

Growth Point – In 2007, we expressed interest to the Government about becoming one of the country’s Housing Growth Points.  Following Government approval in July 2008, we need to identify up to 20% more land for housing.

We intend to publish a further consultation draft of the document in the summer, with a view to publishing the submission document in late 2009 and submitting it to the Secretary of State in March 2010.

d)   Central Wakefield Area Action Plan Development Plan Document
The Inspector’s Report, received by the Council on 15 April 2009, found the document to be sound and it is anticipated that it will be adopted in June 2009.  The document was delivered in accordance with the LDS 2007 and, if adopted in June, will be delivered three months ahead of the estimated adoption date of September 2009.  

e)   Waste Development Plan Document
The document is being delivered in accordance with the LDS 2007.  We have completed the final stage of its preparation with the six-week pre-submission consultation for comments about its soundness ending on 15 April.  It is anticipated that the Waste document will be submitted to the Secretary of State at the end of April 2009.

2.       Supplementary Planning Documents (SPDs)

a)   Policy for Developer Contributions Supplementary Planning Document
Early stages of the document were delivered in accordance with the LDS 2007.

b)   Residential Design Guide Supplementary Planning Document
Held in abeyance.

c)   Parking Standards Supplementary Planning Document
Held in abeyance.