Written question asked by Robert Neill (Conservative) on Tuesday, 17 March 2009, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Thursday, 19 March 2009. It was answered by Iain Wright (Labour) on Monday, 23 March 2009 on behalf of the Department for Communities and Local Government.

Regional Planning and Development

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government how many local authorities have approved local development frameworks in place; and what progress has been made to ensure that all authorities have such frameworks in place.

Answer: 'Local development framework' is the collective name for the various spatial planning-related documents that local planning authorities have prepared. To date the Planning Inspectorate has considered and found sound:"43 Core Strategies""30 Area Action Plans""Seven Site Allocation Policies""Seven Development Control Policies""11 Minerals and Waste Policies""Nine other plans dealing with specific themes""385 Statements of Community Involvement."Supplementary Planning Documents do not need to be approved by the Planning Inspectorate and there is no central record of the number adopted.The Government agree timetables for the delivery of plans (Local Development Schemes) with local authorities and hold regular discussions with them about progress. Sector-led support is provided through the Planning Advisory Service to authorities who decide they require assistance in the preparation of their plans and the Government also fund a programme of visits by Planning Inspectors to authorities to help with plan preparation.

Secondary information

Type: Written question
Reference: 490 c76-7W; 265047
Session: 2008-09
Related items: Regional Planning and Development
Tuesday, 5 May 2009
Written questions
House of Commons
Subjects: Local development frameworks
Link: View this Written question on www.publications.parliament.uk