Local Development Frameworks (LDFs)

Local Development Frameworks were introduced by the Labour Government, to outline the spatial planning strategy for a local area. These local development plans replaced Local Plans.

Latest - CPRE's Test Valley Group has responded to the Borough Council's Draft Core Strategy. Issues raised include housing mix, vitality of town centres, viability of rural services and the critical state of water supply and discharge. See Covering letter and detailed response (9 pages) (both PDF).

In the Labour era, Local developments or LDFs as they are abbreviated to, were introduced as part of a 'two-tiered' planning system, comprising of:

Regional Strategies (RS) - The strategy sets out a long-term framework for the region (in our case the South East Region) to promote sustainable economic growth. Please note however that the current coalition Government has abolished Regional Strategies and returning decision-making powers to local councils, though they may provide planning guidance where local plans are not in place.
Local Development Frameworks (LDFs) - a collection of local development documents prepared by district councils, unitary authorities and national park authorities that outline the spatial planning strategy for the local area.

Currently each Local Authority is required to complete a Local Development Framework. In Hampshire we have 12 current Local Development Frameworks under development. Each separate LDF is at a different phase and completion schedule. Please see the below map for a list of Hampshire's LDF areas.

If you would like to find out more about CPRE Hampshire's work on LDFs in this area, please contact the county office on 01962 779185. If you want to have a say in the way your local area changes, you should contact your local planning authority to find out how you can get involved.

Silence of the Plans

One of our concerns is that if Local Development Plans do not have in place a core strategy by April 2012, then the National PLanning Policy Framework will leave local areas vulnerable to a planning free-for-all. The following press releases identify particular areas of concern:

Silence of the plans risks horror story in the Test Valley - press release 7 Oct 2011
Silence of the plans risks horror story in Winchester - press release 4 Oct 2011
Silence of the plans risks horror story in the Havant - press release 1 Oct 2011

The map below shows the local authorities within Hampshire

Additional Resource

Local Development Schemes - a 6-page CPRE briefing that provides an overview of how you can influence your Local Development Framework. It complements...
Local Development Frameworks - a 36-page CPRE Planning Help Campaigners' Guide. This guide explains opportunities you have to influence policies and plans, which in turn influence most types of development including housing and the fate of the local environment and countryside.
Guide to LDFs - on the government's Planning Portal. This visual guide introduces Local Development Frameworks and explains the importance and role of each development document.

This page last updated 27th February.