Planning is a national system that manages the use and development of land. The planning system plays a critical role in identifying what development is needed and where, which areas need to be protected or enhanced, and in assessing whether proposed development is suitable.
The system has two main parts to it:
- Plan-making – setting out a plan for how an area will develop over time as a guide to future development.
- Managing development – when development is agreed through planning permission.
The planning system determines where new Gypsy and Traveller sites can and can’t be developed.
Generally speaking, a planning application for a Gypsy and Traveller site (or indeed any other planning application to a local authority) will be decided in accordance with the development plan for the local area.
The development plan is made up of a number of plans and documents, the most significant of which is the Local Plan.