Local Plans had to be produced by law. They were put together by district and borough councils and contain policies to guide the development of land in their area. They cover the whole of a council area and include detailed proposals for individual sites. Local Plans were also produced for minerals and waste policies by the county council.

The Government introduced major changes to the planning system in the Planning & Compulsory Purchase Act 2004. Local Plans and the County Structure Plan are now being replaced by a system of Local Development Frameworks (LDFs). The new LDF system comprises a number of inter-related planning documents focusing on a wide range of issues and geographical areas.

The LDF will consist of the following portfolio of documents:
• Development Plan Documents (DPD)
• Supplementary Planning Documents (SPD)
• Area Action Plans (AAP)
• Local Development Scheme (LDS)
• Statement of Community Involvement (SCI)
• Annual Monitoring Report (AMR)

As part of the preparation of the LDF, local planning authorities are required to undertake Sustainability Appraisals (SA) and Strategic Environmental Assessments (SEA). These processes measure and test the impact of the policies and proposals in DPDs and SPDs against environmental, social and economic considerations. This type of analysis will help to ensure that planning policy is taken forward in accordance with the principles of sustainable development.

Local Plans are now going through a transitional phase whereby local planning authorities have been able to 'save' local plan policies for an initial three-year period until they are replaced by new policies in the LDFs. This initial period expired in September 2007, but where relevant to each of the authorities and on direction of the Secretary of State schedules of those policies which have been saved beyond this time have been provided. Further information can be found on the individual authorities' planning policy pages.

The current local plans and local development frameworks for each authority can be found from the links on the left of this page.

• Borough of Christchurch Local Plan (adopted version)

  The Borough of Christchurch Local Plan was adopted in March 2001. It sets out detailed policies and specific proposals for the development and use of land. It provides the framework for development in the borough up to the year 2011. It is an important document for the whole community as it will be a major consideration in determining any planning application.

• Christchurch Local Development Framework

  The government introduced changes to the planning system with the Planning and Compulsory Purchase Act 2004. As a result the Borough of Christchurch Local Plan will be replaced by a Local Development Framework (LDF).

• East Dorset District Council local development framework

  The Government has introduced major changes to the planning system with the introduction of the Planning & Compulsory Purchase Act 2004. Greater community involvement in the preparation of planning policy and the consideration of major planning applications is a central aspect of the new system.

• East Dorset District Council local plan

  The East Dorset local plan was adopted on 11th January 2002 and provides planning policy for the whole district up to the year 2011.

• North Dorset District Council Planning Policy

  The Planning Policy Team is responsible for preparing documents that set out the councils approach to the management of development in the district. The planning system in England and Wales follows a plan-led system. This involves preparing plans containing policies that explain what can be built and where.

• Purbeck Local Plan

  The current Local Plan will be replaced by a Local Development Framework. The Framework will be made up of a series of documents, rather than just being one like the old Local Plan.The Purbeck District Local Plan was first published in May 1999 for public consultation.

• Purbeck Local Development Framework

  The current Local Plan will be replaced by a Local Development Framework. The Framework will be made up of a series of documents, unlike the old Local Plan which was contained in a single document.

• West Dorset District Council planning policy

  Proposals for development are judged against the development plan for the area. In West Dorset this is currently made up of the West Dorset District Local Plan, Structure Plan, Waste Local Plan and Minerals and Waste Local Plan. This will change as the new planning system is introduced.

• Weymouth & Portland Strategic Planning

  The Strategic Planning Policy Team is responsible for preparing documents that set out the borough council's approach to the management of development in the borough. The planning system in England and Wales follows a plan-led system. This involves preparing plans with policies that explain what can be built and where.