Local Development Framework

Latest news!

• Following the Councils submission of the Core Strategy Publication Document on 16 December 2011 the Planning Inspectorate has confirmed that an examination will be held to consider the soundness of the Woking Borough Council Core Strategy Development Plan Document.

• The Secretary of State has appointed an independent Inspector, Mr. Andrew Seaman BA (Hons), MA, MRTPI to conduct the Examination and a independent Programme Officer working under the Inspectors direction has also been appointed to be responsible for organising the programming and all procedural matters.

• Back to top

  All details of the Examination, the right to participate and any documents submitted in connection with the Examination can be viewed on the Council's dedicated Woking 2027 website.

• The Pre-Hearing Meeting is scheduled for Thursday 9 February at 2pm in the Council Chamber, Civic Offices, Woking.

• The Coucil submitted the Core Strategy to the Government on Friday 16 December 2011.

Back to top

Local Development Framework

The Planning and Compulsory Purchase Act 2004 changed the way in which development plans are prepared. The new plan-making system introduced Regional Spatial Strategies (such as the South East Plan), and Local Development Frameworks to replace the previous system of Regional Planning Guidance, Structure Plans and Local Plans.

Details of the new system can be found on the Planning Portal website.

The Woking Local Development Framework (LDF) is known as Woking 2027.

Back to top

Local Development Scheme

The Council produces and maintains a Local Development Scheme (LDS) which sets out a programme and timetable for producing the documents that will make up the Local Development Framework (LDF). The latest version of the LDS was approved by the Council's Executive in October 2011.

Back to top

Development Plan Documents

Together with national planning policy, Development Plan Documents (DPDs) will form part of the development plan for Woking. DPDs are examined by an independent Planning Inspector before they can be adopted, and the Inspector's report is binding. This means that any changes set out in it must be made by the Council.

The Local Development Framework will consist of four Development Plan Documents (DPDs) which set out new planning policies for the Borough. The DPDs that the Borough Council will produce are:

Core Strategy

The Core Strategy will set out the vision, objectives and spatial strategy for the area. The Core Strategy must be in conformity with national planning policy. All other DPDs must be in conformity with the Core Strategy. The Core Strategy will set out how the Borough Council will meet known and anticipated development requirements to 2027, including the number of dwellings to be provided. It will also set out a core set of policies in accordance with which planning applications will be determined.

Proposals Map

The Council is required to include a Proposals Map in its Local Development Framework, which explains geographically the adopted policies and proposals of Woking LDF Development Plan Documents.

It must also show the adopted policies of the Surrey Minerals and Waste Development Framework, which is prepared by Surrey County Council. The Surrey Waste Plan was adopted on 6 May 2008.

The Surrey Minerals Plan is being prepared to replace the Surrey Minerals Local Plan 1993. It is due to be submitted to the Secretary of State in 2010.

The Proposals Map is classed as a DPD but is not itself subject to independent examination by an Inspector. It will be updated every time a new policy that needs to be shown on a map is adopted.

Site Allocations

The site allocations document will identify and allocate specific locations in the borough where major development will take place in accordance with the vision and spatial strategy set out in the Core Strategy.

After the Core Strategy Examination, the Council will be starting work on a Site Allocations Development Plan Document (DPD). If you have an interest in any site, or sites, that you wish to be considered in the process, please let us know.

Development Management

The development management document will set out detailed policies for determining planning applications. The timetable for the production of the development management document is set out in the Local Development Scheme (LDS).

Back to top

Statement of Community Involvement

The Statement of Community Involvement is a document which sets out when and how people can get involved in the plan-making process and in the consideration of planning applications. The Council's Statement of Community Involvement was adopted in July 2011.

Back to top

Supplementary Planning Documents

The Council will also produce Supplementary Planning Documents (SPDs) to support DPDs. They will explain in more detail the application of particular policies set out in the Core Strategy and other DPDs, or policies of the Woking Borough Local Plan 1999 that have been 'saved' for continued use as part of the LDF. The Council's current SPDs are:

Parking Standards

Outlook, Amenity, Privacy and Daylight

These will be reviewed after the adoption of the Core Startegy. Future SPDs are planned following the preparation of the Core Strategy.

Back to top

Sustainability Appraisal

The Borough Council must undertake a Sustainability Appraisal (SA) of each DPD. The purpose of SA is to ensure that the Council's policy approach is as sustainable as possible, balancing social, environmental and economic needs. The SA will identify and report on the likely significant effects of a DPD and the extent to which implementation of policies will achieve the social, economic and environmental objectives.

Back to top

Local Development Framework Research/Evidence Base and Monitoring

The Council produces monitoring reports which are published at regular intervals. A full list found on the publications page.

A number of research projects have been undertaken by the Council or by consultants in order to inform the preparation of the Local Development Framework and make sure it is supported by a sound evidence base.

Back to top

Thames Basin Heath Special Protection Area (SPA)

In March 2005, the Thames Basin Heaths Special Protection Area (SPA) was classified under the EC Birds Directive. It includes areas of heathland across Surrey, Hampshire and Berkshire, covering 11 different local authorities, including Woking. The sites in Woking are parts of Horsell Common, Sheets Heath and Brookwood Heath. The SPA has been identified as an internationally important breeding habitat for three rare species of bird - the Dartford warbler, woodlark and nightjar.

Those applying planning permission in the Borough should use Woking's Avoidance Strategy when applying for planning permission.

Back to top

LDF Newsletter

Local residents, planning professionals and other interested parties are kept up to date on the progress of our Local Development Framework (LDF) via our LDF newsletter.

Back to top

Get Involved

If you would like to be involved in or kept informed of the preparation of the Local Development Framework, you can register online, email or telephone the Planning Policy team on 01483 743871.