Local Development Framework

Welcome to our web page on the Malvern Hills District Local Development Framework.

What's it all about?

The Planning system has an impact on the District through the management of land use and future development.  Balancing the need for new development against the need to protect the quality and unique elements of Malvern Hills District is one aspect which guides the District Council’s decisions but our vision is about building communities which provide for the needs of all.  Sustainable development is central to this aim.

Changes to the national Planning system came into effect in September 2004.  A Local Development Framework (LDF) replaces the previous system of County Structure Plan and Local Plan development plans. The Local Development Framework is a collection of local development documents produced by the local planning authority which collectively delivers the spatial planning strategy for its area.

The South Worcestershire Development Plan is the key plan within the Local Development Framework, other documents include the West Midlands Regional Spatial Strategy (soon to be abolished), the Worcestershire Minerals Core Strategy, Worcestershire Waste Core Strategy Plans and Supplementary Planning Documents prepared by the District Council. It should be noted that during 2010 the coalition Government stated its intention to abolish Regional Spatial Strategy's and therefore its influence on local Development Plans.

A Development Plan is the starting point in the consideration of planning applications. It provides the planning framework to guide future land use and planning decisions within the District. Currently the Malven Hills District Development Plan consists of the saved policies of the Worcestershire County Structure Plan and the saved policies of Malvern Hills District Local Plan (adopted July 2006).

For more information on the planning system and a summary of what is happening locally please take a moment to look at our Local Development Scheme and Annual Monitoring Report.

What will the Local Development Framework contain?

The LDF will consist of a series of Local Development Documents (LDDs). These include statutory development plan documents (DPDs) and supplementary planning documents (SPDs):

• The Local Development Scheme (LDS) sets out the timetable for the documents that this Council will be producing as part of its Local Development Framework.  It provides a starting point for you to see what documentation will be produced and at what stage you can become involved in the process.
  
• Statement of Community Involvement (SCI) sets out how and when we will involve you in the creation of Planning documents to be included in the LDF and in making development control decisions.  The SCI is in the final stages of preparation.
  
• The purpose of the Annual Monitoring Report (AMR) is to report progress on the LDF against the timetable and milestones set out in the Local Development Scheme (LDS) and to assess the extent to which Local Development Documents and their policies are being implemented.
  
• South Worcestershire Development Plan (SWDP) is a joint Development Plan involving collaborative work between Malvern Hills District, Worcester City and Wychavon District Councils. This document combines the South Worcestershire Joint Core Strategy (SWJCS) and Site Allocations and Policies Development Plan into one plan. Recently (late 2010), South Worcestershire authorities have stated their intention to continue working together on a joint plan, but as a result of the recent changes to the planning system we are currently revising our approach and plan to move forward reflecting the new Government agenda.  Please visit the planning news page for more information.
  
• Supplementary Planning Documents (SPD) will replace Supplementary Planning Guidance (SPG). These documents cover a wide range of policy and site specific issues to support policies and proposals outlined in the Development Plan Documents. An SPD does not have development plan status but is used to provide more detail on policies set out in the development plan. It is subject to extensive public consultation and are material considerations in the determination of planning applications. If you are preparing a planning application you should consider the guidance set out in these documents, as well as the relevant policies in the Development Plan. 
  
• Developing and Managing the Evidence Base. A comprehensive evidence base is an essential part of ensuring that our policies and plans are soundly based and reflect needs and opportunities within the District.

What about the Existing Plan Documents?

Transitional arrangements for moving from the old to the new system allow some Plans to retain their development plan status and for their policies to remain saved for a period of time.

These Plans include:

• The Worcestershire County Structure Plan (June 2001), policies saved for consideration until 2011.
  
• The Malvern Hills District Local Plan (adopted July 2006) -  The policies are automatically saved for three years until July 2009. However we have saved our policies beyond July 2009. For more information on saved policies, their purpose, reasons why they have been saved and how they will eventually be replaced please click here.
  
• Our existing supplementary planning guidance on Affordable Housing and the North Site Development Brief and associated Affordable Housing Brief will also be saved until 2007.
  
• Although some of the Structure Plan policies have been 'saved' in the interim, policies such as housing targets are not. Please click the following link for clarification as to which policies will expire as of 27th September 2007. Expired Structure Plan Policies 

If you have any comments, please contact us: