Under the Government's new development planning system the Local Development Framework (LDF) will replace the Local Plan. The South Hams LDF will set out the planning framework and policies for the area and will make specific proposals for new developments through a portfolio of documents.

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A draft Planning Obligations SPD is available for comment from 29 August to 4pm on 10 October 2008. It is also available to view using the Council's LDF Consultation Portal. Representations can be made online by using this portal.

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

• Local Development Scheme (LDS) (Approved April 2007). This is the latest project plan of the documents the Council intends to publish over the next several years with their respective timetables. The LDS is reviewed on a regular basis. Please contact the Forward Planning Team for further information on this document on Tel: 01803 861234.
• 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 Control Core Policies: Preferred Options Stage - contains details of new 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.
• The Rural Areas: Issues & Options Stage - sought views on the approach to address the key social, economic and environmental issues facing the rural areas of the district, particularly housing and employment allocations.
• The Totnes / Dartington Development Plan Document: Preferred Options Stage - contains the future planning framework for Totnes/Dartington and includes site specific allocations for new housing, employment and mixed development.

Supplementary Planning Documents are available to view here.

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

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