Current Planning Policy

Shrewsbury and Atcham Borough Council's current planning policies are contained in a number of documents which together form the development plan, including the Regional Spatial Strategy, the Shropshire Structure Plan and the adopted Shrewsbury and Atcham Local Plan. 

The move to a Unitary Council

When Shrewsbury and Atcham Borough Council is merged into Shropshire Unitary Council on 1st April 2009, the Shrewsbury and Atcham Local Plan will remain in force and continue to guide decisions on planning applications until it is replaced by new Development Plan Documents (DPDs) in the Local Development Framework, from 2011 onwards.   

Unitary Shropshire Local Development Framework

A Local Development Framework (LDF) for 2011-2026 is under preparation for the new unitary Shropshire Council area.  It's preparation is detailed in the draft joint Local Development Scheme (LDS), which was approved on 9 April 2008 by the Implementation Executive for the new Shropshire Council.

Core Strategy

The first Development Plan Document (DPD) in the Shropshire Local Development Framework will be the Core Strategy DPD, which will set the strategic policy framework for new development 2011-2026.  The process for preparing the Core Strategy DPD is: 

• Topic Papers - 8 thematic papers examining key issues.  Consultation 21st July - 1st Sept 2008.
• Choices - Issues and Options for the emerging Core Strategy.  Consultation in Feb/March 2009.
• Preferred Option - draft Core Strategy.  Consultation in mid to late 2009.
• Submission Core Strategy - final Core Strategy submitted to the Secretary of State, early 2010. 
• Examination of the Core Strategy by an independent Inspector - mid 2010
• Adoption of the Core Strategy, subject to the Inspector's changes - early 2011.

Site Allocations & Development Management

The second Development Plan Document (DPD) to be prepared will be the Site Allocations and Development Management DPD.  This will allocate specific sites for development, protect key sites, and contain detailed policies to guide decisions on planning applications.  The process for preparing it is:

• Preparation - Strategic Housing Land Availability Assessment (SHLAA) to be published early 2009.
• Issues and Options - examination of alternative sites, expected for consultation October 2009
• Preferred Option - draft DPD expected for consultation May 2010
• Submission DPD - final DPD for consultation and submission to the Secretary of State expected Feb 2011
• Examination of DPD by an independent Inspector - expected Oct 2011
• Adoption of final Site Allocations & Development Management DPD expected c. May 2012