Statutory development plans

It involves protecting the best, improving the worst, and aiming positively to ensure a better quality of life for everyone, now and for future generations.
 
Development plans focus on land use development and protection set within the context of wider social, economic and environmental trends and considerations. Reflecting national and regional planning policies, development plans make strategic provision for the long-term use of land and buildings, providing a framework for local decision making and the reconciliation of competing development and conservation interests.

They aim to ensure that land use changes proceed coherently, efficiently, and with maximum community benefit. Development Plans indicate clearly how local residents, landowners, and other interested parties might be affected by land use change. They are subject to regular periods of intensive public consultation, involvement and negotiation.

Decisions on planning applications are made in accordance with the adopted Development Plan unless other material considerations, relating to land use development, indicate otherwise.

The Borough Council has responsibility for producing a local plan, for Stevenage this is currently the Stevenage District Plan Second Review.  Hertfordshire County Council are responsible for producing plans relating to minerals and waste for the whole of Hertfordshire, as well as the Hertfordshire Structure Plan which sets out the strategic context for development in the whole of Hertfordshire.

Since the commencement of the 2004 Plannig and Compulsory Purchase Act, the development plan system consisting of local, structure and minerals and waste local plans has been transformed to a system consisting of local development frameworks and regional spatial strategies.  For more information on the reform of the planning system see the link below:

• Local Development Framework