Presentation by Paul Selby, Planning and Environment Manager at the Planning Inspectorate, given at the Planning Inspectorate Wales conference on 30 September 2015

1. Sound, effective and succinct
LDPs
Paul Selby
Planning & Environment Manager, PINS Wales

2. 2 Sound, effective and succinct LDPs
LDP examinations
s64 of the 2004 Act:
• To determine whether the plan meets procedural requirements
• To determine whether the plan is sound
• To give people an opportunity to be heard
• To make recommendations, giving reasons

3. 3 Sound, effective and succinct LDPs
Soundness
The soundness tests:
• Does the plan fit?
• Is the plan appropriate?
• Will the plan deliver?
But:
• A plan cannot be made ‘better’ if it is already sound.
• Clarity of wording, structure and length are important – and can
be related to soundness, particularly if flaws are cumulative

4. 4 Sound, effective and succinct LDPs
Where we are
• 16 have adopted an LDP
• 3 undergoing examination
• 2 LDPs at deposit (3 LPAs)
• 90% of LPAs have reached
deposit stage or beyond
• 64% have an adopted LDP
Reviews
• First plans adopted 5 years ago
Adopted Deposit
Examination Pre-Deposit

5. 5 Sound, effective and succinct LDPs
Future challenges
Planning reform
• National Development
Framework
• Strategic Development Plans
• ...both trigger LDP review
Plus
• Local Government reorganisation
• Budgetary constraints

6. 6 Sound, effective and succinct LDPs
Looking back, looking forward
2016
2014

7. 7 Sound, effective and succinct LDPs
Review of adopted LDPs
2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015

8. 8 Sound, effective and succinct LDPs
Review of adopted LDPs
2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015
NPA
County
City/CB

9. 9 Sound, effective and succinct LDPs
Review of adopted LDPs
2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015
NPA
County
City/CB

10. 10 Sound, effective and succinct LDPs
The benefits of shorter

11. What does a sound LDP need to
include?

12. 12 Sound, effective and succinct LDPs
Basic requirements
An LDP should contain:
• A vision, strategic issues, aims and
objectives, and a key diagram
• Strategic policies
• Site allocations
• Development Management policies
• A Proposals Map
• A monitoring framework

13. 13 Sound, effective and succinct LDPs
Strategy and allocations
• Location of development, including settlement
hierarchy/boundaries and designated areas of
growth or restraint
• Housing targets and phasing, including for
sub-areas and different types/tenures
• Uses required to support economic
development, including employment and retail
needs
• Infrastructure necessary to support the required
level of development
• Natural resources to be protected, managed or
used

14. 14 Sound, effective and succinct LDPs
Strategy and allocations
What Where
When How

15. 15 Sound, effective and succinct LDPs
DM policies
PPW indicates that an LDP may
include DM policies relating to:
• Natural Heritage and the Coast
• Historic Environment, Landscape, Design
• Economic Development
• Transport
• Housing
• Retail, Town Centres, Tourism, Recreation
• Infrastructure and Services
• Environmental Protection
• Minerals

16. 16 Sound, effective and succinct LDPs
Plan reviews
• Extent of review will determine procedure
• Long form process – comprehensive review:
• What is the JHLAS saying about the delivery of allocations?
• Are policies still consistent with national policy?
• Are policies performing effectively?
• Is the justification for policies, including local DM policies, still current?
• Is infrastructure being implemented as expected?
• Should CIL be revisited?

17. Conclusions

18. 18 Sound, effective and succinct LDPs
Conclusions
• Many plans currently being reviewed or will be shortly – new
phase in plan-making
• WG reforms emphasise importance of keeping plans up-to-date
• Shorter LDPs are more accessible, cheaper and easier to review
• Succinctness is no barrier to soundness
• Clarity of policy wording, plan length and structure are all related
to the coherence of the plan – potential soundness considerations
• Comprehensive plan review should be used to critically appraise
your plan and test the effectiveness of policies