Planning policy
Planning policy helps give the local context for making decisions on individual planning applications.
This policy is published in Local Plans and supporting documents. Plans set out a vision for how an area will develop and change over time, as well as being a guide for future development. Local planning policy is used alongside national planning policy guidance to balance the interests of communities, businesses and environmental protection.
We are responsible for preparing the Minerals and Waste Development Framework. The Minerals and Waste Development Framework sets out planning policies for how much future minerals and waste development will take place in Derbyshire (outside the Peak District National Park) and where it will be located. The Minerals and Waste Development Framework and its planning polciies will be the main basis for determining minerals and waste planning applications. All policy decisions on the Minerals and Waste Development Framework are taken by the cabinet (opens in a new window) (opens in a new window).
We also work with district and borough councils and the Peak District National Planning Authority on their Local Development Frameworks. The district and borough councils and the National Park Authority deal with local planning policy and most planning applications for housing, commercial, industrial, retail and leisure development. We work closely with the district and borough councils and the National Park Authority, providing expert advice on issues such as ecology, highways, landscape, design, infrastructure and other county-wide planning matters when required.
Proposed changes to the planning system
The Government is currently considering a number of changes to the land use planning system.
It is proposing to abolish Regional Spatial Strategies in the Localism Bill, which is currently progressing through Parliament.
Until the bill is passed, however, the East Midlands Regional Spatial Strategy is still part of the development plan for the preparation of Local Development Frameworks and assessments of planning applications.
The Localism Bill also proposes changes to the system of preparing development plans at the local level.
It is proposed, however, that the new system of local plans will still be jointly prepared by the county and city councils for minerals and waste matters.
Derby City Council, borough and district councils and the Peak District National Park will prepare local plans for other planning matters in their areas.
Local communities and businesses would be given new powers to prepare their own Neighbourhood Development Plans.
The Government intends to replace all planning guidance with the National Planning Policy Framework by April 2012. A nationwide consultation exercise finished on 17 October 2011 and the final version of this document will be the main factor in shaping planning policy.