3. Planning Policy Documents 3.1.
As set out in the National Planning Policy Framework (para 16), plans should: be shaped by early, proportionate and effective engagement between planmakers and communities, local organisations, businesses, infrastructure providers and operators and statutory consultees.
3.2.
The Local Development Scheme explains what planning policy documents the Borough Council prepares. These are currently Local Plans and Supplementary Planning Documents (SPDs). Each has different statutory arrangements that dictate what they can cover and how they are prepared. Local Plans - These set out policies that will be used to manage development within the Borough. They are consulted on by the Borough Council and examined by a Planning Inspector through a public examination. Supplementary Planning Documents - These provide additional guidance on policies in the adopted Local Plan. They cannot introduce new policy. Although they are consulted on by the Borough Council, they are not examined by a Planning Inspector.
3.3.
In addition, the Council produces a range of other documents that may be subject to some degree of public consultation. This includes: • A programme of Conservation Area Appraisals • The preparation of and subsequent changes to the Councils Community Infrastructure Levy (CIL) Charging Schedule. • The preparation of and subsequent updating of Avoidance Strategies in relation to Special Protection Areas and Special Areas for Conservation. • The inclusion of sites on Part 2 of the Council’s Brownfield Register
3.4.
The progress and success of these documents is monitored annually through the Authority’s Monitoring Report.
3.5.
This Statement of Community Involvement explains the stages for producing SPDs. However, reforms introduced under the Levelling Up and Regeneration Act 2023 will replace SPDs with Supplementary Plans which will be examined and, alongside the Local Plan and Neighbourhood Plans, will form part of the statutory development Plan. Supplementary Plans (SPs) will address site-specific needs or opportunities which require a new planning framework or to act as a vehicle for setting out design codes.
3.6.
In light of the planning reforms, it is unlikely that the Council will produce further SPDs. However, as set out in the Local Development Scheme, the Council