Frequently Asked Questions

What is a Local Development Framework (LDF)?

The LDF is made up of a suite of planning documents. The Local Development Scheme (LDS) sets out the timetable and documents which are being produced as part of the LDF. Refer to the link on the left for details of the LDS.

As for guiding the planning of the District is concerned, there are two types of Local Development Documents - Development Plan Documents (DPDs) and Supplementary Planning Documents (SPDs).

DPDs set out the policies. These are a statutory element of the LDF and will be subject to an independent examination by an Inspector. DPDs which will be produced include the following documents:

Core Strategy: This will set out the spatial vision, objectives and the strategy for future development in Arun. The Core Strategy sets out the principles on which all other Local Development Documents will be based. Once the Core Strategy is approved some of the polices will replace the saved policies of the Arun Local Plan.

Site Allocations and Development Policies DPD: These policies provide more detailed guidance on issues in the Core Strategy, to aid the determination of planning applications. It will also set out policies for specific sites within the District, e.g. small scale housing development sites.

Area Action Plans: These documents will set out the planning framework for areas of change and conservation. It is intended to produce an Area Action Plan for Bognor Regis.

Statement of Community Involvement (SCI): This document states how Arun District Council intends to consult/involve the public on all LDDs prior to their adoption; and also on planning applications.

Annual Monitoring Report (AMR): The performance of the LDDs will be assessed in an Annual Monitoring Report.

Each DPD must be subjected to a Sustainability Appraisal. These are assessments carried out to check that the policies and guidance promote environmentally sustainable forms of development in the District as much as they can, and show clearly where there are likely to be conflicts or problems.

What difference does all this make to the planning system?

There will be no difference in the way that we receive and deal with planning applications. All applications will be assessed against policies in the DPDs. The main difference will be that individual LDDs (DPDs and SPDs) can be reviewed individually.

Does the Council have a current Development Plan?

Yes. The Local Plan for the District was approved in 2003, and contains general and area specific planning policies which cover the District. The Council is now working on its Local Development Framework.

At present, the South East Plan, May 2009, and the Saved Policies of the Arun District Local Plan 2003 form the Development Plan for Arun District. The saved policies of the Arun District Council Local Plan 2003 will be replaced by Development Plan Documents within the Local Development Framework once these are formally adopted.

These are development plan policies that have been saved for a limited period until they are incrementally replaced by policies in local development documents.

Will I be consulted on the LDF?

The Council will set out how and with whom it intends to consult with in the 'Statement of Community Involvement'. Consultations on Development Plan reviews will be advertised in the local press, on the Council website and by a range of other means appropriate to the type of LDD. We welcome comments from all sections of the community.

How often will the Local Development Framework be reviewed?

The Council will produce an 'Annual Monitoring Report ' at the end of each year to assess how the LDD's have performed and may recommend that the LDD be reviewed if considered appropriate.

In the consultation document the Council has identified three fundamentally different options to for accommodating required development up to 2026 through sustainable planning policies.

The 'Options for Growth' Document is intended to identify the challenges and opportunities that lie ahead and understand the options that are being put forward. It reflects the priorities agreed by the Local Strategic Partnership (Click on the following link for further information about the Local Strategic Partnership) for improving quality of life in the District. It has been prepared specifically to encourage involvement in shaping the final Strategy.

You can see both the summary and full document, background documents and an on-line questionnaire by clicking on the 'Options for Growth' Consultation option on the side bar to the left.

The Core Strategy will identify the broad spatial pattern of growth and development in Arun District over the period to 2026. It will include a range of broad planning policies required to implement the Strategy. These policies will replace some of the policies in the existing 2003 Local Plan. When published, the Core Strategy will include a list of the policies in the current 2003 Local Plan which have been superseded.

More detailed policies for the control of development and specific policies for particular areas will be brought forward in further plan documents to be prepared by the Council. This will include the Site Allocations and Development Policies DPD. As with the Core Strategy, these documents will list which current Local Plan policies have been replaced by new policies.

You can see both the summary and full document, background documents and an on-line questionnaire by clicking on the 'Options for Growth' Consultation option on the side bar to the left.

In addition a mobile display will be visiting a location near you during the consultation period, so if you wish to find out more or discuss the options further be sure and visit between 7.30am and 3.00pm at one of the venues below.

Alternatively drop into an exhibition where you can also discuss the options, these will be held in the reception areas on:

Permanent displays of the options will be situated throughout the consultation period at the Civic Centre Littlehampton and Bognor Regis Town Hall

For information on how to comment on the Core Strategy 'Options for Growth' please click on the 'Options for Growth' Consultation option on the side bar on the left.

Anyone can comment. The Council wants local opinions and the views of other stakeholders to help the Council ensure that the final Strategy reflects local needs and priorities.

The Council will not be responding to individual points made but will take everyone's views into account in the analysis of comments. Following the end of the consultation, the Council will analyse all comments received and will prepare a summary report on the consultation. This will be published on this website when it is available.

The Council will prepare a draft Core Strategy, setting out a broad spatial strategy for locating growth and development to 2026, including key policies needed to implement this strategy. The Core Strategy document will take account of comments received in response to the Options for Growth consultation, as well as a wide range of other evidence.

A pre-submission version of the Core Strategy will be produced after which there will be a period of consultation. Comments must be made on whether the Core Strategy complies with the test of soundness. That is whether it is justified, effective and consistent with national policy.

The draft Core Strategy will be submitted to the Secretary of State for independent examination by an Inspector. S/he will determine whether the Strategy is soundly based, including in terms of the regard it has to the Community Plan and to representations received. Following the examination, the Inspector's Report will be binding upon the Council. Once any changes required by the Inspector have been made, the Core Strategy will then be formally adopted by the Council.

A full timetable for the adoption of the Core Strategy and other LDF documents is set out in the Local Development Scheme (LDS).

To return to the Local Development Framework Homepage please click on the following link