Local Development Framework

The Mid Sussex District Local Plan was adopted (ie it became official policy after consultation etc) in May 2004, at about the time that new documents became necessary. Since then MSDC have been constructing their Local Development Framework (LDF), which includes many policies 'saved' from the old Local Plan, such as urban coalescence policies to replace strategic gaps. The Core Strategy, from which many policies hang, was put to elected councillors at the end of 2009.

The Core Strategy was rejected by the councillors, and therefore, MSDC do not currently have an adopted Core Strategy as part of their LDF, and it is likely that this will not now come into place until the end of 2010.

This creates a problem for MSDC, as planning applications received can only be considered in light of adopted policies, which are currently contained in the Local Plan, and this will remain in place until the LDF is adopted. However, where there is a conflict between South East Plan and local policies (which are often at odds or out of date, particularly if the Local Plan is still in force), the 'higher' SEP takes precedence. Therefore, when a planning request is received and subsequently rejected by the planning committee, a planning inspector brought in by the Planning Inspectorate to hear the appeal will refer back to this higher plan, with its presumption on development unless up to date local policies are in place. MSDC then becomes somewhat irrelevant in the process!