Saved Structure Plan Policies & the Localism Bill - Public forum - Planning Advisory Service (PAS)

Hi Jon We haven't had advice, but from reading that quote from the bill, it does suggest that saved policies will be revoked i.e. no longer saved. Perhaps trying another way to push local authorities on getting on with their local plans (core strategies)? Harriet

A colleague raised the issue with CLG's Development Plans Team and received the following response: "a) Yes the revocation of the direction to save Structure Plan Policies, does mean that they will be abolished. b) No transitional arrangements will be put in place following the abolition of the saved Structure Plan Policies. The saving of selected Structure Plan Policies following the enactment of the PCPA 2004 was a transitional arrangement and we will not be extending any further the life of these transitional arrangements. In line with the principle of localism we are abolishing regional strategies, so it is time to tidy up the planning landscape by removing planning policies from abolished Structure Plans. c) It is for this type of reason that local authorities need to progress the preparation of their local plans. If Saved Structure Plan Policies contain planning policies which a group of local authorities find of use to help them plan strategically; local authorities can already produce joint development plan documents so as to pursue their strategic planning objectives."

Of course the government didnt realise that in doing so they would be abolishing the green belt in some parts of the country, where there was no more up to date plan than the structure plan first defining the green belt.