Local Development Frameworks provide the basis for delivering the spatial planning strategy of the district and guide future development and change. These are prepared by District Councils except that documents relating to waste and minerals matters continue to be prepared by the County Council.

The Local Development Framework (LDF) can best be explained as the 'folder' within which a number of planning documents sit. The individual documents in the LDF are set out below. For more information, click on the links shown. 

However the policies of the Local Plan have been 'saved' and they remain part of the statutory 'development plan', alongside the recently adopted South East Plan (see link to right). Hence, they continue to applied for the purposes of development control until rescinded when DPDs are adopted (see below).

An Update on Planning Policy in Rother district has been prepared in July 2009 to inform people of recent developments affecting policy framework for planning decisions.

• Local Development Scheme (LDS) which sets out a three-year work programme for the preparation and review of local planning policy in Rother District
• The Core Strategy Development Plan Document (DPD) which sets out the Council's long-term spatial vision and policies to deliver that vision. It will identify broad locations for development where development will be accommodated but will not specify actual sites. It will also include strategically important development management policies.
• Site Allocations Development Plan Document (DPD) which will allocate specific areas of land for development and may include more detailed development management policies.
• Supplementary Planning Documents (SPD), which elaborate upon a policy or proposal in a Development Plan Document as referred to above. They are non- statutory documents.
• The Statement of Community Involvement (SCI) which provides the protocols for public involvement in the preparation and subsequent review of policy documents and planning applications
• Annual Monitoring Report which informs as to the progress on implementing the Local Development Scheme, and the extent to which the policies set out in the Development Plan Documents are being achieved
• Sustainability Appraisal which evaluates the social, economic and environmental impacts of policies and strategies in a Local Development Document to ensure that the policies and strategies are in accordance with Sustainable Development Objectives.
• Background Evidence Studies have been prepared on a number of different subjects in order to inform the Local Development Framework. A full list of studies is set out.

The Local Development Framework is being prepared by the Strategy and Environment section of the Planning Division.

If you would like to contact this section, please telephone, email or write to us using the details below:

Strategy and Environment Section
Planning Division
Town Hall
Bexhill-on-Sea
East Sussex

Tel: 01424 787634
Fax: 01434 787657

Email: planningstrategy@rother.gov.uk

As neighbouring local authorities, Hastings Borough Council and Rother District Council are both progressing their main LDF documents to similar timetables.  If you want to find out about the Hastings LDF, please click on the following link which will take you to Hastings Borough Council's LDF webpage www.hastings.gov.uk/ldf