Planning, land use
Topics covered:
- Responsibility for planning
- General planning policies in rural areas (PPS7)
- Professional advice
- Further information
Responsibility for planning
The Department for Communities and Local Government (DCLG) has overall responsibility for planning arrangements.
They are administered on a day-to-day basis by local planning authorities, in the first instance, and the First Secretary of State on appeal. As part of Defra's aim of promoting sustainable development we contribute to the development of national policy guidance and advise local planning authorities on their planning policies. It is for individual local planning authorities to balance national policy, local policies as reflected in their development plan and other material considerations, when deciding on individual proposals.
Defra cannot intervene in or comment on individual cases.
All information on the planning system can be found on the DCLG website.
General planning policies in rural areas
The Government's national policies on land use planning in rural areas are set out in Planning Policy Statement 7 (PPS7 published August 2004, replacing PPG7). It says that decisions on development proposals should be based on sustainable development principles, ensuring an integrated approach to the consideration of:
- social inclusion, recognising the needs of everyone;
- effective protection and enhancement of the environment;
- prudent use of natural resources; and
- maintaining high and stable levels of economic growth and employment.
PPS7 can be found on the DCLG website.
Professional advice
You may find it useful to seek independent professional advice from a planning consultant with experience of the type of project you have in mind. One of the following bodies may be able to help in this regard:
- Royal Town Planning Institute
- Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors
- British Institute of Agricultural Consultants
- Royal Institute of British Architects
You may also wish to consult one of the following horse-related organisations who may be able to offer advice on your particular project:
Further information
All Planning Policy Guidance notes and further Planning information can be found on the Department for Communities and Local Government website
Planning Portal is being developed to be the first point of contact for anyone who wants to find out about the planning system in England and Wales.
Guidance on making and taking part in planning appeals. Available from
the Planning Inspectorate web site: http://www.planning-inspectorate.gov.uk
Page last modified:
2 May, 2008
Page published: 11 November, 2003