Planning Policy

Planning applications are determined by either the Local Planning Authority (e.g. Wychavon District Council) or the Planning Inspectorate. The decisions have to be principally based on the application of planning policy. Planning policy is set out in a number of documents which are:

• The Wychavon District Local Plan
• The West Midlands Regional Spatial Strategy
• The Worcestershire County Structure Plan
• Planning Policy Statements
• National Planning Policy Framework (Draft)

The greatest weight is normally applied to policies contained within the Development Plan. The Development Plan currently includes:

• The Wychavon District Local Plan ("saved" policies only)
• The West Midlands Regional Spatial Strategy (2008)
• The Worcestershire County Structure Plan ("saved" policies only)

The planning system is currently undergoing significant changes. The Government is firmly committed to abolishing Regional Spatial Strategies and County Structure Plans. These proposals are set out in the Localism Act (2011) which can be found on the Communities and Local Government website. The process of removing these is subject to a Strategic Environmental Assessment but it is anticipated that the West Midlands Regional Spatial Strategy and the Worcestershire County Structure Plan will no longer be part of the Development Plan. For more information regarding the West Midlands Regional Spatial Strategy please visit the West Midlands Regional Assembly website. For further information regarding the Worcestershire County Structure Plan, please visit the Worcestershire County Council website.

Another major ongoing change is the Government's proposal to replace the various Planning Policy Statements with the National Planning Policy Statements with the National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF). The NPPF was subject to public consultation in 2011 and is likely to be published by this Spring. The Government have suggested that, in the absence of an up to date Local Plan, the NPPF will be the main consideration in the determination of planning applications and appeals.

The final important planning policy issue is the South Worcetershire Develoment Plan. When this is adopted and published (anticipated in 2013) it will replace the Wychavon District Local Plan and become the main consideration in the determination of planning applications and appeals. The South Worcestershire Deveopment Plan Preferred Options was published for public consultation in September 2011. We are currently assessing the thousands of representations received, as well as looking at the remifications of the NPPF.

The Government is promoting the production of Neighbourhood Plans. These are different to Parish/Town Plans in that once they are published they will be part of the Development Plan. They cannot go against strategic policy (e.g. promoting development in the Green Belt) but with respect to detailed matters such as the design of buildings, Neighbourhood Plans will be the principal material consideration.

Our policy publications are available to view by following the link to Planning Services Publications. 

Contact us

If you have any queries regarding emerging planning policy, please do not hesitate to contact us on (01386) 565565 or alternatively email the Policy Plans team at Policy.Plans@wychavon.gov.uk .