A local development framework must include development plan documents (DPDs), which outline the key development goals of the local development framework. Development plan documents taken together are broadly equivalent to the old-style local plans.

Compulsory development plan documents

• Core strategy document
• Site-specific allocations
• Adopted proposals map
  Adopted Proposals Map
  An adopted proposals map is a development plan document and a component of the local development framework in Town and country planning in the United Kingdom. It shows the location of proposals in all current development plan documents, on an Ordnance Survey base map....
  
  

Optional development plan documents

• Area action plan
  Area Action Plan
  An area action plan is an optional development plan document specified in United Kingdom planning law forming part of a local development framework...
  
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• Supplementary planning documents.

Development plan documents are subject to rigorous procedures of community involvement, consultation and independent examination. Once adopted, development control

Development Control

Development control, planning control, or development management is the element of the United Kingdom's system of town and country planning through which local government regulates land use and new building. It relies on a "plan-led system" whereby development plans are formed and the public is...

 decisions must be made in accordance with the DPDs unless material considerations indicate otherwise.

DPDs must be examined with a sustainability appraisal

Sustainability Appraisal

In United Kingdom planning law, a sustainability appraisal is an appraisal of the economic, environmental, and social effects of a plan from the outset of the preparation process to allow decisions to be made that accord with sustainable development....

to ensure economic, environmental and social effects of the plan are in line with sustainable development targets.