Adopted Site Specific Policies and Proposals Development Plan ...

Adopted Site Specific Policies and Proposals Development Plan Document1 Introduction1.1 Purpose of the Document1.2 ContextWhat is the Site Specifics Policies and Proposals Development Plan Document?1.1 The Local Development Framework (LDF) for Breckland will replace the existing Local Plan which wasadopted in September 1999. It is being prepared under the relevant legislation for development plans in England.The LDF comprises a number of Development Plan Documents (DPDs) that set out policies and proposals forthe development and use of land in the district, the first DPDs cover the period to 2026. The adopted BrecklandLDF Core Strategy (2009) includes a Spatial vision for the future of Breckland and objectives and targets, whichdevelopments must meet to secure that vision. The Site Specifics Policies and Proposals Development PlanDocument has been prepared in accordance with this Core Strategy.1.2 The Site Specifics Policies and Proposals DocumentTakes account of national, regional and strategic planning policies;Identifies sites for, and requirements of, major development to deliver the adopted Spatial Strategy andCore Strategy policy;Provides the framework of policies for assessing planning applications on allocated sites;Enables infrastructure and service providers to bring forward their services when needed by newdevelopment;Enables the public to be fully involved in developing local policies and proposals; andIs accompanied by an updated Proposals Map including revised settlement boundaries in accordance withthe adopted Core Strategy.1.3 The Site Specifics Policies and Proposals DPD covers the whole of the District with the exception ofThetford and Attleborough and Snetterton Heath where two separate Area Action Plans are being prepared.Community Involvement1.4 The Site Specific Policies and Proposals DPD has been prepared following a programme of consultationand public participation. Consultation with the community on the Site Specifics in Breckland began in the Summerof 2008 with the publication of an Issues and Options document, following a formal call for sites in March/April2008. This Issues and Options consultation took place over a 12 week period. This was followed by a 6 weekfurther Issues and Options consultation in Spring 2009 to publicise additional sites received during the first Issuesand Options period. Following the adoption of the Core Strategy in December 2009 the Council proceeded inJune/July 2010 to a consultation on a Preferred Options document which gave people the opportunity to commenton how the local planning authority should approach the final content of the document. The Preferred Optiondocument focused on preferred sites and settlement boundaries together with the opportunity to comment onreasonable alternatives.1.5 The Pre-Submission document was published in January 2011 and was subject to a six-week longpublication period, allowing people to make representations which were considered through the Examinationprocess. A number of representations were received that sought the inclusion of additional, alternative oramended site allocations and settlement boundaries through the updated Proposals Map. The DPD was thensubmitted to the Secretary of State in April 2011. Further information on the plan preparation process can befound on the Council's website: www.breckland.gov.uk.2