Planning policy is used to help determine planning applications - what can be built, where, and how buildings are used. It is also used to plan strategically, looking at future needs to be addressed, what change is likely to happen and where, and what policies are needed to achieve this . Planning policy exists at the national, regional (London) and local level.
National Planning Policy
At the national level there is a series of Planning Policy Statements (PPSs) and Planning Policy Guidance Notes (PPGs), which will shortly be replaced by a National Planning Policy Framework. More information national planning policy can be found at the Communities and Local Government Web site. Both regional and local planning policy should consider national policy.
Regional Planning Policy
In London, the Mayor produces a development strategy for greater London called the London Plan. The London Plan, together with Islington's own local planning policies, form the Local Development Plan. Islington’s local policy has to be generally consistent with the London Plan.
Islington's Planning Policy
Islington is currently in transition from the Unitary Development Plan (UDP) (2002) to a new set of documents called the Local Development Framework. Currently our adopted policies are therefore made up of saved UDP policies and our adpoted Core Strategy (2011). More detailed advice on planning policy is also provided in Supplementary Planning Documents (SPDs).
Planning policy also plays a key role in helping to set guidance for particular sites. This guidance can be found under Planning Briefs and Major Projects.
Further guidance about conservation, urban design, sustainable design and inclusive design when considering planning applications can be found under our Conservation and Design pages.