Planning policies saved beyond September 2007

Background
The adoption of the Planning and Compulsory Purchase Act by the Government in September 2004 introduced a new system of plan making in England. The Act abolished the system of Local Plans and Structure Plans, and replaced it with a new system of Local Development Frameworks (LDF) and Regional Spatial Strategies (RSS).

All existing adopted Structure Plans, Local Plans and Unitary Development Plans were automatically 'saved' for three years from the start of the Act. Therefore the following plans prepared by Shropshire County Council were 'saved' in full until 27 September 2007:

• Shropshire and Telford & Wrekin Joint Structure Plan 1996-2011
• Shropshire and Telford & Wrekin Joint Minerals Plan 1996-2006
• Shropshire Waste Local Plan 2002-2014

This three year transition period was initially put in place whilst Local Planning Authorities prepared their Local Development Frameworks and Regional Assemblies prepared their Regional Spatial Strategies. However, a lot of councils and Regional Assemblies around England have not yet reached the point where they can adopt a replacement to these old style plans. It has therefore become necessary to extend the 'saved' period of specified policies in some Local and Structure Plans beyond their current expiry date of the 27 September 2007, whilst councils continue to work on replacement policies.

Extending 'saved' Shropshire County Council planning policies beyond September 27 2007
Earlier this year Shropshire County Council prepared a series of submissions to the Secretary of State asking for certain policies in the Structure Plan, Mineral Plan and Waste Plan to be extended beyond 27 September, and gave an explanation to why these policies require extending. These submissions can be viewed by downloading the relevant attachment on this page.

We have now heard back from the Government on this issue, who have confirmed which policies in these plans are to 'saved' beyond 27 September 2007. To view the schedule of policies to be 'saved' beyond 27 September for each plan follow the relevant attachments on this page.

In summary, the Government has agreed with all of the submissions put forward by the County Council. In addition to this the Government has added an 4 additional policies from the Joint Structure Plan to be 'saved' beyond September. Therefore, 24 policies of the Joint Structure Plan, 20 policies of the Minerals Local Plan and 26 Policies of the Waste Local Plan have been 'saved' beyond 27 September. Policies which are not on these lists are not extended beyond 27 September, and will therefore expire on this date.

To find out more on Shropshire's Local Development Framework follow the relevant link on this page. To find out more about the West Midlands Regional Spatial Strategy follow the link to 'Regional Planning' on this page.