Adopted Development Plan FAQs
Below are our most frequently asked questions and answers about the Development Plan, Local Development Framework and Local Plan (also sometimes known as 'Local Development Plan').
If you need more information or have a different question to ask, please get in touch using the contact details at the bottom of the page.
The Local Plan
The Local Plan (sometimes referred to as 'The Local Development Plan') sets out policies and land allocations that will guide the future of our district up to 2031.
All planning applications are measured against the policies in the Local Plan.
The Development Plan
Planning policies that guide the development and use of land in the district are set out in the Development Plan.
All planning applications are assessed against the planning policies in the Development Plan.
The Development Plan is a set of documents, and consists of documents produced us and Cambridgeshire County Council.
More information is given in Adopted Development Plan - Overview.
The Local Development Framework
The Local Development Framework (LDF) is the planning policies that guide new development in the area.
All planning applications are measured against the planning policies included in the LDF.
The Development Plan Document (DPD)
A Development Plan Document (DPD) sets out planning policies for the district on many subjects and also for site-specific matters like housing, employment and open spaces
DPDs form part of the Local Development Framework, and also the adopted development plan.
Area Action Plan (AAP)
The Area Action Plan (AAP) sets out detailed planning policies for a specific site or area and is part of the Local Development Framework.
AAPs form part of the adopted development plan.
To see what AAPs are being prepared at the moment, please visit: What new Area Action Plans are being prepared?
Supplementary Planning Document (SPD)
SPDs give more guidance on specific topics or sites. SPDs give more information on policy and policies in adopted development plan documents.
SPDs form part of the Local Development Framework, but do not form part of the adopted development plan.
To see the list of SPDs adopted by us, please visit the Adopted Supplementary Planning Documents page.
To see what SPDs are being prepared at the moment, please visit the What new Supplementary Planning Documents are being prepared? page.
Local Plan Timetable
This is a timetable for writing new or updated documents that set out the planning policy for Greater Cambridge. It is designed to help people understand what plans we intend to produce.
The Adopted Proposals Map
The map shows the areas covered by planning policies contained in the adopted development plan, such as housing, employment and open space allocations.
Statement of Community Involvement (SCI)
The Statement of Community Involvement tells you about how we will involve the community and other stakeholders in the planning process.
The Annual Monitoring Report (AMR)?
The Annual Monitoring Report document is updated annually and:
- measures the performance of individual planning policies included in the adopted Local Development Framework or Local Plan
- measures our progress in producing the documents set out in the Local Development Scheme
- gives details of what the council has done about its Duty to Co-operate and
- gives details of any neighbourhood plans or neighbourhood development orders that have been made.
To see the latest AMR, please visit our Annual Monitoring Report page.
The Council’s latest five year housing land supply position
The Council's latest five year housing land supply position is published here in the Annual Monitoring Report.