What does LDFS mean in DEVELOPMENT

Local Development Frameworks (LDFs) are frameworks for guiding decision making about development and land-use change in local areas. LDFs take into account existing and potential conflicts, problems and opportunities within a local area, with the aim of creating sustainable places that meet the needs of both current and future generations.

An LDF typically includes policies on housing, transport, environment, employment and community facilities. It also includes guidance on managing development pressures such as flood risk, air quality and noise.

The main benefits of LDFs include more clarity around planning decisions; help to protect important infrastructure from over-development; more certainty for those investing in land or development; greater focus on environmental considerations; a clearer understanding of local needs; better economic performance; improved public engagement in the planning process; increased confidence for developers and investors; increased efficiency for statutory agencies involved in the process.

Local authorities are primarily responsible for formulating an LDF with input from other stakeholders such as private sector developers, businesses, voluntary organisations, government agencies and communities. The plan should be approved by the local authority before being adopted.

Generally speaking, it is recommended that an LDF should be reviewed every 5 years to ensure that it reflects any changes or developments within the local area which may have occurred since its original adoption. However, some circumstances may require a shorter review period.

All relevant parties must follow the policies outlined in an LDF including developers proposing development proposals within designated special policy areas and/or other strategic locations identified by local authorities. Additionally planning applications must demonstrate compliance with any relevant policies contained within an adopted local development framework before they can be granted permission (subject to statutory consultation requirements).

Yes - enforcement action can be taken against those who breach or fail to comply with applicable policies included within the adopted developmental framework (e.g., failure to comply with conditions attached to planning permission). This could then result in legal action being taken against them by their Local Authority or through civil proceedings initiated by another party affected by their actions (e.g., a neighbouring property owner).

Alternatives exist depending upon your local authority's processes - e.g., drafting individual development plans for each site instead of using a framework approach setting out general principles under which all sites will be considered against, or having more general neighbourhood plans covering large areas instead of individual sites). However these cannot replace an adpoted developametnal frameowrk as this would negate its purpose entirely i.e., providing a comprehensive overview for managing existing and proposed developments within a defined area.

The Department for Communities & Local Government is responsible nationally government department responsible fore overseeing regional implementation of Development Frameworks as part of their wider responsibilityire over he controloduction and use of land within England.

Local Developmnet Frameworks have been implemented across many countries globally however duel touniversal variances across creatoni systems tey do not always carry te same name nor adhere ls strictly ts gorvernmenrt policesi foundin Egnland Nationally determined guidelines may differ elsewherei houigh subsatantial overlaps can still bz found