The Government has introduced the Planning and Compulsory Purchase Act 2004 which requires the Council to produce a new-style local planning framework to replace its Unitary Development Plan (UDP).  

The Council adopted its current UDP First Alteration in January 2003 to guide and control development and protect the environment.

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'. Several parts of the saved UDP have now been replaced by new LDF documents.

The Council is preparing the LDF in the context of national and regional policies, as well as the Wakefield District Partnership's Community Strategy.

The Regional Spatial Strategy was published in May 2008 and is being updated as part of preparing the Intergrated Regional Strategy.

The Community Strategy sets out an agreed vision of what the district should be like in 25 years time. The LDF provides the planning strategy for delivering the vision and promoting sustainable development. Consulting with local communities and groups forms an important part of preparing the LDF.

The Wakefield Metropolitan District Unitary Development Plan First Alterations and Regional Spatial Strategy can be viewed by following the links under 'Features'. 

The links below provide further information about the process of preparing the LDF. All the LDF documents subject to consultation can be viewed online (see 'Related Links').  Commenting online is the preferred method for all consultation.

Latest News - LDF Documents 

October 2009

The Council adopted the Core Strategy and Development Policies documents on 15 April 2009, and the Central Wakefield Area Action Plan on 17 June 2009. These documents now form part of the statutory development plan for Wakefield District and replace many of the policies in the UDP. Copies of the documents, the Planning Inspector's Reports and information relating to the adoption of the documents can be found by following the link below. Final publication will follow in due course. A schedule of current policies is also available for information (see `Downloads').

The Waste Development Plan Document has been subject to examination, including public hearings held in July.  The Inspector has issued her binding report and found the document sound.  This report will be considered by Council and the document should be adopted by Christmas when it will form part of the statutory development plan.

The Site Selection Methodology for the Site Specific Proposals document has now been finalised. To view a copy of the methodology along with the representations received during the technical consultation in March 2009, please follow the link below.