About The Local Plan
A Local Plan sets out a vision and a framework for the future development of the area, addressing needs and opportunities for housing, the economy, community facilities and infrastructure, as well as the basis for conserving and enhancing the natural and historic environment, mitigating and adapting to climate change, and achieving well designed places.
The Local Plan is at the heart of the planning system and provides the framework for all planning decisions to be judged against.
Why are we producing a new Local Plan?
The District’s existing Local Plan consists of the Core Strategy 2010 and the Land Allocations Plan 2015, as well as saved policies from the 2002 Local Plan. The existing Development Plans can be viewed on the Dover District Council Website. The Government has made changes to legislation, policy and guidance since these plans were developed, which means they need to be reviewed and updated.
The Government requires all local authorities to have an up to date local plan in place by December 2023. New Plans can take several years to finalise and so it is important we make progress now.