Local Development Framework

In September 2004, the Planning and Compulsory Purchase Act was passed and brought in a fundamentally new development plan system. Local authorities must start work on replacing their existing Local Plans with Local Development Frameworks (LDF).

Contact details for the Development Plan Team:
Tel: (01827) 709279, 709278, 709275 or 709384
Fax: (01827) 709277
Email: developmentplan@tamworth.gov.uk

Update on Regional Spatial Strategy

The Regional Spatial Strategy for the West Midlands together with the Tamworth Local Development Framework will make up the new development plan for Tamworth. The West Midlands Regional Assembly has submitted its latest plans for the Phase Two Revision of the West Midlands Regional Spatial Strategy to the Secretary of State. This part of the Strategy will set out how a range of issues in the Region will be dealt with, including housing and employment land, centres and transport. Following a letter from Baroness Andrews, Government Office for the West Midland Additional has commissioned consultants to review the Region's housing figures. The final report is due in October 2008 and will be made available as additional evidence for consultees to consider when making responses to the Phase Two Revision. The consultation period has been extended to 8 December 2008, with an examination in public in spring 2009. You can view the documents at the Council's offices at Marmion House or via the West Midlands Regional Assembly website by using the link on the right.

Update on Tamworth Local Plan

The Tamworth Local Plan was adopted on 6 July 2006 and under the provisions of the Planning and Compulsory Purchase Act 2004, the policies remain in force for three years.  If the Council wishes to save any of the policies beyond 6 July 2009, it must apply to the Secretary of State for agreement to issue a direction at least six months before they are due to expire.

The Council approved a list of policies that it wishes to save at Cabinet on 26 November 2008 and has submitted them to the Government Office for the West Midlands (GOWM).  The main consideration for saving policies is that they should be in conformity with but not repeat national and regional policy, they should support a clear central strategy, they should relate to a specific unimplemented proposal or allocation or represent a locally distinct interpretation of policy. 

You can view the Cabinet report on the right.  If you would like to make representations on the choice of policies that the Council wishes to save, please contact GOWM at the following address, not the Borough Council.

Sustainable Futures Directorate
Government Office for the West Midlands
5 St. Philip’s Place
Colmore Row
Birmingham
B3 2PW

Local Development Framework

Local Development Frameworks are made up of two types of Local Development Documents: Development Plan Documents (DPDs) that set out specific policies and Supplementary Planning Documents (SPDs) which expand these policies or provide additional detail.

The following documents also form part of the Local Development Framework: the Statement of Community Involvement (SCI), the Local Development Scheme (LDS) and the Annual Monitoring Report (AMR).

What documents will we prepare?
We will produce the following documents over the next three years:

  • A Local Development Scheme (LDS) sets out the Council's programme for the production of Local Development Documents over the next three years.
  • The Statement of Community Involvement (SCI) sets out how the Council will involve the public in the preparation of the Local Development Framework and planning application decisions.
  • A Core Strategy will set out the area-specific vision, measurable objectives and strategic policies in the borough.
  • An Allocations Development Plan Document will identify sites for future development including sites for housing and employment.
  • Sustainability Appraisals (SA) will assess the social, economic and environmental effects of policies and proposals included in a Local Development Document. A Sustainability
  • Appraisal will be prepared alongside the Core Strategy and Allocations DPD (Housing). It may also be necessary to prepare a SA in conjunction with a Supplementary Planning Document.
  • An Annual Monitoring Report (AMR) will be prepared each year in December providing details of policy implementation and progress on Local Development Document preparation.
  • Supplementary Planning Documents will be produced as necessary.


Current consultations

The public consultation on the Core Strategy Issues and Options has now closed, however, if you would like to discuss the Spatial Options or the proposed approach for the core policies, please contact us. The intention is to undertake more informal consultation on the spatial and policy options in early 2009 and to submit the Core Strategy for examination in October 2009.