Local plan

Making Wealden the place it deserves to be and its resident want to be part of

Wealden Local Plan

A local plan is a document that outlines the planning policies and proposals for development in a local area. It sets out the vision and objectives for the area and provides a framework for the future development of land. The plan includes policies on housing, employment, transport, community facilities, and other issues that affect the area. The local plan is prepared by the Local Planning Authority (LPA), usually the Council or the national park authority for the area. Once the Local Planning Authority has finished preparing and consulting on a local plan it must be submitted to the Secretary of State who will appoint an Inspector to carry out an independent examination. This process is dealt with by the Planning Inspectorate. The examination will assess whether the plan has been prepared in accordance with legal and procedural requirements and if it is sound. The four tests of soundness are set out in the National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF).
Wealden District Council are preparing a new local plan for Wealden District, which will replace the current Local Plan. The new Local Plan will provide policies to shape our places, plan and manage growth in the district and guide development over a 15-20 year period. The local plan will ultimately be the key planning document against which we assess and make decisions on planning applications.

Wealden District Council Local Plan Portal

Local Plan Evidence Bases

Latest Local Plan Information

Environment and the Local Plan

Wealden District Council and the Climate Emergency

Wealden District Council Statement and Documents

Climate change

"Our climate is changing as a result of human activity since the industrial revolution. If we are to avoid the most harmful effects of climate change, such as more extreme weather, warmer summers, wetter winters and increases in sea level, we must take action to reduce our impact on the environment now.

Wealden District Council is committed to protecting and improving our natural environment, reducing our emissions and enhancing quality of life for our residents. Working with our partners, businesses and the community, we are taking action."

Government Information

Wealden District Council and the Climate Emergency

UK Government Main Information

Net Zero Strategy

Extract

" From heating our homes to filling up our cars, burning fossil fuels releases the greenhouses gases that increase global temperatures. We are already seeing the effects here in the UK, with devastating floods in the West Midlands in January and torrential downpours submerging London Underground stations earlier this summer."

Net Bio Diversity Gain

A government take

What the metric is for

You can use the biodiversity metric to calculate how a development, or a change in land management, will change the biodiversity value of a site. For example, building houses, planting a woodland or sowing a wildflower meadow.

You can use the metric to:

assess the biodiversity unit value of an area of land
demonstrate biodiversity net gains or losses in a consistent way
measure and account for direct impacts on biodiversity
compare proposals for a site - such as creating or enhancing habitat on-site or off-site

It can help you design, plan and make land management decisions that take better account of biodiversity. You should use the metric and calculator tool with ecological advice.

The metric calculates the values as ‘biodiversity units’. Biodiversity units are calculated using the size of the habitat, its quality and location. Interesting video on Bio Net Gain

A Planning Indusry View

Wealden District Council and the Climate Emergency

A Planning Indusry View

Lichfields

Time to panic? Planning and the climate emergency

"Climate Change is now recognised as one of the most – if not the most – significant challenges to be facing the global population. In this country, the planning system has been identified as having a major role in tackling this emergency and assisting in our national contribution to address issues affecting the wider planet. With COP26 now having drawn to a close, it is time to reflect on where we are and whether more can or needs to be done to meet the challenge of Net Zero Carbon by 2050."

Housing Delivery Test Results 2020/2021

A Natural England View

A Planning Indusry View

Natural England

Bio Diversity Net Gain

Biodiversity Net Gain – more than just a number

Climate Change

"Climate change is a threat to the species and wild places we love, but if we look after nature better, we can also reduce the emissions of greenhouse gases and build the resilience of people and nature."