# Development plan

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The East Cambridgeshire Local Plan was produced by the local authority and adopted in 2015.[1]

UK local land use planning

A **development plan** sets out a local authority's policies and proposals for [land use](/source/Land_use) in their area.[2] The term is usually used [in the United Kingdom](/source/Town_and_country_planning_in_the_United_Kingdom). A **local plan** is one type of development plan. The development plan guides and shapes day-to-day decisions as to whether or not [planning permission](/source/Planning_permission) should be granted, under the system known as *[development control](/source/Development_control_in_the_United_Kingdom)* (*[development management](/source/Development_management_(Scotland))* in [Scotland](/source/Scotland)). In order to ensure that these decisions are rational and consistent, they must be considered against the development plan adopted by the authority, after public consultation and having proper regard for other material factors.

Section 38(6) of the [Planning and Compulsory Purchase Act 2004](/source/Planning_and_Compulsory_Purchase_Act_2004) (replacing Section 25 of [Town and Country Planning (Scotland) Act 1997](/source/Town_and_Country_Planning_(Scotland)_Act_1997) and Section 54A of the [Town and Country Planning Act 1990](/source/Town_and_Country_Planning_Act_1990)) requires that decisions made should be in accordance with the development plan unless material considerations indicate otherwise.[3] Although development plans do not have to be rigidly adhered to, they provide a firm basis for rational and consistent planning decisions.

## History

Local plans and [structure plans](/source/Structure_plan) were introduced by the Town and Country Planning Act 1990. By virtue of specific transitional provisions, these plans will continue to operate for a time after the commencement of the new development plan system brought about by the Planning and Compulsory Purchase Act 2004.

## Outside the UK

In [India](/source/India), Development Plan process is a provincial/state subject. There are various town planning authorities under each province/state that assess the growth of areas, identify suitable areas for housing, industry, public infrastructure and allocate budgets. Each of the metropolitan cities in India has an Agency which is responsible for Development Planning exercise of the cities. [Mumbai](/source/Mumbai) city has [Mumbai Metropolitan Region Development Authority](/source/Mumbai_Metropolitan_Region_Development_Authority) commonly known as *MMRDA*.[4] Similarly there is Delhi Development Authority for [Delhi](/source/Delhi), [Bangalore](/source/Bangalore) has the Bengaluru Development Authority, [Kolkata](/source/Kolkata) has Kolkata Metropolitan Development Authority and there is Chennai Metropolitan Development Authority for the south Indian city of [Chennai](/source/Chennai).

Countries in the Middle East have started to launch national Development Plans where they draw up plans for diversifying their economies. See for example the [Saudi Vision 2030](/source/Saudi_Vision_2030), [Qatar National Vision 2030](/source/Qatar_National_Vision_2030), UAE Vision 2021 and Kuwait Vision 2035.

## Context

In England and Wales, the development plan may contain a number of documents: [Counties](/source/County) and most [non-metropolitan unitary districts](/source/Non-metropolitan_district) are covered by [structure plans](/source/Structure_plan) (in which the county, national park or [unitary authority](/source/Unitary_authority) set out key strategic policies as a framework for local planning) and [local plans](/source/Local_plan) (in which [district councils](/source/Local_government_in_the_United_Kingdom) and [national park authorities](/source/National_park_authority) set out more detailed policies to guide development in their areas, including proposals for specific sites). Structure plans were in some cases prepared on a joint basis between two or more authorities (such as a county and a unitary authority or a national park).[5]

County, national park and some unitary authorities also prepare minerals and waste local plans, which are also deemed to be local plans.

In London and the metropolitan areas, and in a few non-metropolitan unitary areas, authorities produce [unitary development plans](/source/Unitary_development_plan) (UDPs), which combine the functions of structure and local plans and include minerals and waste policies.

Local plans and UDPs identify particular areas as suitable for housing, industry, retail or other uses, and set out the policies which the authority proposes to apply in deciding whether or not development will be permitted. The preparation of Local Plans and UDPs gives the community the opportunity to influence the detailed policies and specific proposals for the future development and use of land in their area. Because the plan forms the statutory basis for planning decisions, local people are involved in its preparation.

In Scotland, following the passing of the [Planning etc. (Scotland) Act 2006](/source/Planning_etc._(Scotland)_Act_2006), the development plan comprises strategic development plans (covering a number of city areas/urban authorities), local development plans and [statutory](/source/Statutory) Supplementary Guidance. National park authorities in Scotland also act a planning authority for the development of planning policy, and the Loch Lomond and the Trossachs and the Cairngorms National Park Local Plans also form part of the wider development plan.

## Current practice

The [Planning and Compulsory Purchase Act 2004](/source/Planning_and_Compulsory_Purchase_Act_2004) has introduced a [local development framework](/source/Local_development_framework) including several additional documents that will eventually supersede those mentioned above.

The procedure for adoption of a local plan includes issues and options, the draft local plan (followed by regulation 18 consultation[6]), the publication local plan (followed by regulation 19 consultation), then examination by the Planning Inspectorate, modifications if necessary, and Adoption.[7]

## See also

- [City-building game](/source/City-building_game) – Video game genre

- [Comprehensive planning](/source/Comprehensive_planning) – Long-term large-area public policy developmental plan

- [Local development framework](/source/Local_development_framework)

- [Official community plan](/source/Official_community_plan), similar process in Canada

## References

1. **[^](#cite_ref-1)** East Cambridgeshire District Council [https://www.eastcambs.gov.uk/local-development-framework/east-cambridgeshire-local-plan-2015](https://www.eastcambs.gov.uk/local-development-framework/east-cambridgeshire-local-plan-2015)

1. **[^](#cite_ref-2)** ["What is a Local Plan? | wirral.gov.uk"](https://www.wirral.gov.uk/planning-and-building/local-plans-and-planning-policy/what-local-plan). *www.wirral.gov.uk*. Retrieved 2023-08-24.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-3)** Urban Forum [https://www.communityplanning.net/pub-film/pdf/handy_guide_to_planning_2006_06-1.pdf](https://www.communityplanning.net/pub-film/pdf/handy_guide_to_planning_2006_06-1.pdf)

1. **[^](#cite_ref-4)** ["MMRDA"](https://www.mmrda.maharashtra.gov.in). MMRDA. Retrieved 12 February 2013.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-5)** ["New step for localism as every regional plan has gone"](https://www.gov.uk/government/news/new-step-for-localism-as-every-regional-plan-has-gone). *GOV.UK*. Retrieved 2023-08-24.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-6)** The Town and Country Planning (Local Planning) (England) Regulations 2012 [https://www.legislation.gov.uk/uksi/2012/767/regulation/18/made](https://www.legislation.gov.uk/uksi/2012/767/regulation/18/made)

1. **[^](#cite_ref-7)** Council, Horsham District (2023-07-12). ["Local Plan review timetable"](https://www.horsham.gov.uk/planning/local-plan/local-plan-review-timetable). *Horsham District Council*. Retrieved 2023-08-24.

v t e Town and country planning in the United Kingdom by country England Northern Ireland Scotland Wales Legislation Housing, Town Planning, etc. Act 1909 Housing, Town Planning, &c. Act 1919 Town Planning Act 1925 Town and Country Planning Act 1932 Town and Country Planning Act 1947 Town and Country Planning Act 1971 Highways Act 1980 Local Government, Planning and Land Act 1980 Town and Country Planning Act 1990 Planning and Compensation Act 1991 Planning and Compulsory Purchase Act 2004 Planning Act 2008 Localism Act 2011 Infrastructure Act 2015 Planning and Infrastructure Act 2025 Development control Article 4 direction Article 14 direction Caborn principles Certificate of immunity from listing Conservation area County geology site Delegated powers Design and access statement Designation Development management General Permitted Development Order Grampian condition Green belt Heritage asset Heritage coast Industrial development certificate Listed building Local development order Local heritage list Material consideration Merton rule Minor amendment Nationally significant infrastructure project Outline planning permission Planning committee Planning gain Planning permission Safeguarding Tree preservation order Use classes in England Use classes in Wales Plan making Core strategy Development plan (including local plan) Local development framework National Planning Policy Framework Parish plan Planning policy guidance notes Planning policy statements Regional spatial strategy Spatial development strategy Structure plan Sustainability appraisal Unitary development plan Institutions Amenity society Local planning authority Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government Neighbourhood forum Planning Aid Planning Inspectorate Planning Portal Royal Town Planning Institute Town and Country Planning Association

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Adapted from the Wikipedia article [Development plan](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Development_plan) by Wikipedia contributors ([contributor history](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Development_plan?action=history)). Available under [Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/). Changes may have been made.