Under the Government's new development planning system the Local Development Framework (LDF) is replacing the Local Plan. The South Hams LDF sets out the planning framework and policies for the area and will make specific proposals for new developments through a portfolio of documents. Some of these are already adopted and others will follow.

Site Allocation DPDs Additional Consultation (13 January to 10 February 2010) Further consultation is underway to gather local comment on a number of settlements affected by new or revised proposals to help inform the five site allocation DPDs anticipated to be published in March 2010. The settlements affected are Aveton Gifford, Avonwick, Diptford, Ermington, Kingsbridge, Marldon, Modbury, Salcombe, Stoke Fleming, Ugborough and West Alvington. The consultation documents are available here. Council report on the Site Allocation DPDs A report relating to the Publication Stage of the five Site Allocation DPDs formed part of the agenda for the Council meeting on 17th December 2009. This includeed proposals for housing (especially affordable housing), employment land and associated community facilities in Dartmouth, Ivybridge, Kingsbridge, Totnes and the Rural Areas. The Council agenda 17 December 2009 is available here.

Local Development Scheme (LDS) (Approved April 2007) is the project plan of the documents the Council intends to publish over the next several years with their respective timetables. The approved LDS (April 2007) is currently under review. The revised version of the LDS will be available shortly, however, the Revised LDS Timetable (subject to approval) can be viewed here. Please contact the Forward Planning Team for further information on this document on Tel: 01803 861234.

The South Hams LDF currently consists of the following adopted documents:

• The Adopted Core Strategy (December 2006) contains the planning strategy and vision for the district up to 2016.
• The Adopted Affordable Housing DPD (September 2008) contains the Council's approach for delivering affordable housing.
• The Adopted Sherford Area Action Plan (AAP) (August 2007) - contains details of the proposed Sherford New Community.
• The Adopted Statement of Community Involvement (SCI) (June 2006): this sets out the way in which the Council intends to engage local communities in the production of LDF documents.

In addition, the following documents are under preparation leading to adoption:

• The Development Policies Development Plan Document: Publication Stage - contains a suite of policies to guide decisions on planning applications.
• The Plymouth Urban Fringe Site Specific Allocations: Preferred Options Stage - contains details of site specific allocations for new housing and employment land on the edge of Plymouth, in South Hams and sets the policy context for the settlements of Woolwell and Roborough.
• Site Allocation Development Plan Documents for Dartmouth, Ivybridge, Kingsbridge, Totnes and the Rural Areas

Supplementary Planning Documents are available to view.

Where can I view the documents?
These documents can be viewed by clicking on any of the documents listed above or by using the links in the left hand page margin. Hard copies are also available for public inspection at the Council offices, Follaton House, Totnes on Monday-Thursday 08.30-17.00 and Friday 08.30-16.30; they can also be viewed at local libraries within the district.

A Glossary of Planning Terms is available, providing explanations of acronyms and commonly used planning terms.

Please click here to access the Interactive Maps which provide planning policy information for the South Hams.