Structure Plans
Encyclopedia
A structure plan is an old-style development plan
required by United Kingdom planning law
. Structure plans set out strategic planning policies and form the basis for detailed policies in local plans
. Although no longer prepared, these plans continue to operate in many areas following the commencement of the new development plan system introduced by the Planning and Compulsory Purchase Act 2004
, due to transitional provisions.
or by local authorities working jointly together. They consisted of a broad framework of policies looking forward up to 20 years ahead, supported by a "key diagram" showing land use, transport and environmental proposals diagrammatically (that is, not on a locationally specific map base). Local plans, prepared by district
rather than county councils, were required to accord with the overall strategy set out in the structure plan.
Structure plans were increasingly criticised in the 1980s and 1990s for the length of time taken in their preparation and adoption, their often abstract nature, and for imposing an unnecessary level of policy above the level of the local district council. This became increasingly apparent with the establishment of regional planning conferences (later Regional Assemblies
) and the development of Regional Planning Guidance
after the mid-1980s.
Structure plans in the UK were abolished as part of the new development plan system introduced following the 2004 legislation, and have been replaced by Regional Spatial Strategies (RSS) and by Local Development Documents
, particularly Core Strategies
. They remain in force until new RSS has been adopted.
Development Plan
A development plan is an aspect of town and country planning in the United Kingdom comprising a set of documents that set out the local authority's policies and proposals for the development and use of land in their area...
required by United Kingdom planning law
Town and country planning in the United Kingdom
Town and Country Planning is the land use planning system governments use to balance economic development and environmental quality. Each country of the United Kingdom has its own planning system that is responsible for town and country planning devolved to the Northern Ireland Assembly, the...
. Structure plans set out strategic planning policies and form the basis for detailed policies in local plans
Local Plans
In United Kingdom planning law, a local plan is an old-style development plan prepared by district and other local planning authorities. By virtue of specific transitional provisions, these plans will continue to operate for a time after the commencement of the new development plan system brought...
. Although no longer prepared, these plans continue to operate in many areas following the commencement of the new development plan system introduced by the Planning and Compulsory Purchase Act 2004
Planning and Compulsory Purchase Act 2004
The Planning and Compulsory Purchase Act 2004 is an Act of the Parliament of the United Kingdom. It was promoted by the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister...
, due to transitional provisions.
History
Structure plans were first introduced by the 1968 Town and Country Planning Act, as strategic level development plans, prepared either by a county councilCounty council
A county council is the elected administrative body governing an area known as a county. This term has slightly different meanings in different countries.-United Kingdom:...
or by local authorities working jointly together. They consisted of a broad framework of policies looking forward up to 20 years ahead, supported by a "key diagram" showing land use, transport and environmental proposals diagrammatically (that is, not on a locationally specific map base). Local plans, prepared by district
Non-metropolitan district
Non-metropolitan districts, or colloquially shire districts, are a type of local government district in England. As created, they are sub-divisions of non-metropolitan counties in a so-called "two-tier" arrangement...
rather than county councils, were required to accord with the overall strategy set out in the structure plan.
Structure plans were increasingly criticised in the 1980s and 1990s for the length of time taken in their preparation and adoption, their often abstract nature, and for imposing an unnecessary level of policy above the level of the local district council. This became increasingly apparent with the establishment of regional planning conferences (later Regional Assemblies
Regional Assemblies in England
The Regional Assemblies of England were a group of indirectly elected regional bodies established originally under the name Regional Chambers by the Regional Development Agencies Act 1998. They were abolished on 31 March 2010 and replaced by Local Authority Leaders’ Boards...
) and the development of Regional Planning Guidance
Regional Planning Guidance
Regional planning guidance is the predecessor of regional spatial strategies. The RPGs include:*Regional Planning Guidance 1: North East *Regional Planning Guidance 6: East Anglia to 2016 *Regional Planning Guidance 8: East Midlands...
after the mid-1980s.
Structure plans in the UK were abolished as part of the new development plan system introduced following the 2004 legislation, and have been replaced by Regional Spatial Strategies (RSS) and by Local Development Documents
Local Development Documents
Local development documents are a set of documents specified in United Kingdom planning law which a local planning authority creates to describe their strategy for development and use of land in their area of authority....
, particularly Core Strategies
Core Strategy
A core strategy document is the key compulsory local development document specified in United Kingdom planning law. Every other local development document is built on the principles it sets out, regarding the development and use of land in a local planning authority's area...
. They remain in force until new RSS has been adopted.