Transition: Local Plan to Local Development Framework
The Government has tasked the Council to prepare a Local Development Framework (LDF), which is a new style of plan. Instead of a single, large document (like the Harrogate District Local Plan) the LDF is made up of smaller policy documents that can be updated and consulted upon separately. The Core Strategy is one of these LDF documents and was adopted in February 2009. Some of its policies have replaced some Local Plan policies.
Whilst the LDF is being prepared, the 2004 Planning Act let some Local Plan policies be saved for at least 3 years. And, in September 2007, an Article 31 Direction (122KB) from the Secretary of State listed those Local Plan policies that can still continue to be used until the LDF replaces them. At the same time, some Local Plan Policies have been deleted where they are supersceded by, or duplicate, national or regional policy. See the list of Harrogate District Local Plan Policies (15KB) indicating those that apply and those that have been supersceded.
The Council's Planning Policy Team is currently working on the Sites & Policies Development Plan Document (DPD). Scheduled for adoption in 2012, this DPD (together with the Core Strategy) will replace the Local Plan.