Planning Policy

One of the main responsibilities of the Planning and Transport Policy team is to produce the plans that control future development in the District - how much is needed and where it can take place - and protect the local environment and heritage.

Under the new planning system introduced in 2004, the District Local Plan will be replaced in due course by the Local Development Framework.

The Development Plan also comprises the West Midlands Regional Spatial Strategy. The Warwickshire Structure Plan has now expired with the exception of the following 'saved' policies:

• GD7 Previously Developed Sites
• I2 Industrial Land Provision
• T10 Developer Contributions
• TC2 Hierarchy of Town Centres
• T7 Public Transport

Local planning policies have to be consistent with national legislation and guidance, including Planning Policy Guidance (PPGs) and Planning Policy Statements (PPSs). These are available on the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister website.

The Planning Portal is also a useful source of information. This is a one-stop-shop service for planning provided by the Government.

The Development Plan is supported by a range of supplementary guidance produced by the District Council. This deals with the implementation of the plan and is particularly useful for prospective applicants and developers.

The planning system requires thorough monitoring so that the effectiveness of policies can be gauged. This includes the production of an Annual Monitoring Report.

|	Local Plan
The current District Local Plan Review sets out the Council's policies and proposals for the development and use of land. It will be replaced by the new Local Development Framework.
|	Regional Spatial Strategy
The West Midlands Regional Spatial Strategy (RSS) is part of the statutory development plan and provides the framework for all the local development documents prepared by the Council.
|	Local Development Framework
The Local Development Framework (LDF) is the term used to describe the 'folder' of local development documents which collectively will set out the spatial planning strategy, policies and proposals for Stratford District.
|	Local Development Scheme
The Local Development Scheme (LDS)is a 3 year project plan. It provides information on current planning policy documents for the District and how these policies will be reviewed and developed.
|	Statement of Community Involvement
The Statement of Community Involvement (SCI) sets out how we will involve the community in the preparation of all its local development documents and also in significant development control decisions.
|	Core Strategy
Work has started on the preparation of the Core Strategy which is the first and most important part of the LDF because it will set the course for everything to follow. It will present a vision of how we want the District to look and function in 2026.
|	Supplementary Guidance and Documents
Various issues are dealt with in greater detail through Supplementary Guidance (SPG). Supplementary Planning Documents (SPD) are part of the local Development Framework.
|	Annual Monitoring Report
The District Council is required to produce an Annual Monitoring Report every December. This assesses progress on the various planning documents set out in the Local Development Scheme.
|	Development Monitoring
The Council monitors development on allocated sites and sites with planning permission for housing and employment. An open space audit was undertaken in 2004/05.
|	LDF Evidence Base
The Council has undertaken and commissioned a number of studies to inform the preparation of the Local Development Framework.
|	Housing Assessment
The Joint Housing assessment for South Warwickshire provides information on the need for affordable housing and the demand for market housing in Stratford-on-Avon and Warwick Districts.
|	Parish Plans
Information on parish plans including an explanation of their use, some guidance for communities preparing a plan, and links to all the plans currently available