The New Amber Valley Local Plan is one of the key documents that will guide future development across the borough. It will set out a long-term vision for how Amber Valley should grow and change, including where new homes, employment opportunities, infrastructure and community facilities should be located.
The Local Plan forms part of the wider Development Plan for the borough. Alongside the Local Plan, planning decisions are also guided by national planning policy, any adopted Neighbourhood Plans and other relevant planning documents. Together, these documents provide the framework for making decisions on planning applications and help ensure that development takes place in a sustainable and coordinated way.
Local Plans must be prepared in accordance with national planning policy and legislation. The National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF) sets out the Government's planning policies for England and provides guidance on how local planning authorities should plan for future growth, protect the environment and support sustainable development.
The Government has introduced a new plan-making system through reforms to planning legislation. The aim is to create Local Plans that are easier to understand, more consistent across the country and quicker to prepare. The new system also places a stronger emphasis on engaging communities at an early stage in the process.
Under the new arrangements, local planning authorities are expected to prepare Local Plans within a 30-month timeframe, following a series of defined stages and review points.
The new approach is intended to:
Before the formal plan-making process begins, we need to undertake a range of preparatory work. This includes gathering evidence, reviewing existing planning policies, engaging with stakeholders and understanding the challenges and opportunities facing the borough.
This early work will help us establish the issues the Local Plan needs to address and identify potential options for future growth and development.
Community engagement will be an important part of this stage, providing local people with an opportunity to help shape the direction of the new Local Plan from the outset.
The new plan-making system introduces a series of "gateway" assessments at key stages in the process. These gateways are designed to provide independent oversight and ensure that Local Plans are progressing appropriately, supported by sufficient evidence and meeting legal requirements.
The assessments will help identify any issues early in the process and provide advice before the plan moves on to the next stage.
Once the Local Plan has been prepared and consulted upon, it will be submitted for independent examination by a Planning Inspector. The Inspector will consider whether the plan has been prepared in accordance with legal requirements and whether it is sound. This includes considering whether the plan is positively prepared, justified, effective and consistent with national policy.
People and organisations who have submitted comments during consultation stages may have the opportunity to participate in the examination process.
Following examination, and subject to the Inspector's conclusions, the Council may adopt the Local Plan. Once adopted, the Local Plan will become the primary planning policy document for Amber Valley and will be used to help determine planning applications across the borough.
The Council will continue to monitor the effectiveness of the Local Plan and review its policies when necessary to ensure they remain up to date and continue to meet the needs of residents, businesses and communities.
The Local Plan will help shape the future of Amber Valley for many years to come. We want local communities, businesses, landowners, developers and other stakeholders to play an active role in its preparation.
There will be opportunities to comment at key stages throughout the process, and we encourage everyone with an interest in the future of the borough to get involved.
To receive updates on the Local Plan and be notified of future consultation opportunities, sign up to our mailing list by emailing planningpolicy@ambervalley.gov.uk
Contact the team directly on 01773 841584 or email planningpolicy@ambervalley.gov.uk
