Summary
The planning system operates at different levels, when preparing local planning policies we are guided by a planning framework which consists of national, regional and county policies. For example, if an area is to be developed with housing it depends on which sites have been designated for housing in our Local Plan. This is determined by how many houses the County Structure Plan allocates to the Borough, the Structure Plan in turn depends on what housing numbers Central Government allots to the County or Region.
National
The main planning legislation is the Town and Country Planning Act 1990 (the 1990 Act) as amended by the Planning and Compulsory Purchase Act 2004 [external link].| The Acts give statutory force to the plan led system and provides a system that enables the whole community (businesses, other organisations, and the general public) to be fully involved in the shaping of planning policies for their area, through public participation processes.
Since 1988 the Government has been issuing national guidance in the form of Planning Policy Guidance notes (PPGs) [external link],| Minerals Planning Guidance notes (MPGs) [external link]| and, more recently Planning Policy Statements (PPSs) [external link] |and Mineral Policy Statements (MPSs) [external link]. |These set out the Government's policies on different aspects of planning. Local planning authorities must take these into account when preparing their development plans and any supplementary guidance. The guidance may also be material to decisions on individual planning applications and appeals.
The Office of the Deputy Prime Minister has produced a simplified guide to the planning system.
Creating better places to live: A guide to the planning system in England [external link]|
Regional
Under the Planning and Compulsory Purchase Act 2004, Regional Spatial Strategies (RSS) are prepared by each region (for example the East Midlands Regional Assembly) and issued by the Secretary of State following public consultation. They are similar to the old Regional Planning Guidance except that they may go beyond traditional land use planning to bring together other policies which influence the nature of places and how they function. Oadby and Wigston is covered by the East Midlands Regional Plan [external link]| (officially known as the 'Regional Spatial Strategy') which provides a long term development strategy for the region over a 15 to 20 year period. It covers the scale and distribution of new housing, priorities for the environment, transport, infrastructure, economic development, agriculture, minerals extraction, waste treatment and disposal.
County
The Leicestershire, Leicester and Rutland Structure Plan 1996 to 2016 [external link]| has replaced the Leicestershire Structure Plan that covered the period up to 2006. The plan was prepared jointly by Leicestershire County Council, Leicester City Council and Rutland County Council. It provides a strategic planning framework for development and use of land consistent with national and regional policy. Structure plans guide the more detailed policies and proposals of Local Development Frameworks and decisions on planning applications. The plan covers important land use issues such as how many new houses are needed, creating major employment sites, new road proposals, providing for recreation, leisure and shopping, mining and the disposal of waste. However, new development needs will be balanced by preserving the area's unique historic, cultural and natural assets, and by creating an environment that promotes the social and economic well being of local communities.
Leicestershire County Council is also responsible for Minerals and Waste Local Plans [external link]| and the emerging Minerals and Waste Development Framework [external link].|