Create or update a local plan using the legacy system
Information and resources for local planning authorities on preparing a local plan under the legacy plan-making system.
About this collection
This collection gathers guidance and resources for local planning authorities (LPAs) to use when preparing a local plan.
These resources reflect the legacy planning policy framework for local plans. The legacy plan-making system covers plans to be adopted under the Planning and Compulsory Purchase Act 2004, excluding the amendments made by the Levelling-up and Regeneration Act 2023, and The Town and Country Planning (Local Planning) (England) Regulations 2012.
You should also continue to use the version of the National Planning Policy Framework relevant to you. See annex 1 of the Dec 2024 version for more details.
For plans under the new plan-making system
If you are submitting your plan under the new system, use the create or update a local plan new system guidance.
The new plan-making system covers plans that will be prepared and amended under the Planning and Compulsory Purchase Act 2004, as modified by the Levelling-Up and Regeneration Act 2023.
Other resources to use alongside this collection
Get support with different aspects of plan-making
Get support with local plans from the Planning Advisory Service.
Read case studies on how local planning authorities have used digital technology for various aspects of plan-making.
Provide data about your plan
We are collecting local plan data to create a national picture of local plans.
You can use the planning data platform to provide data about your plan, including adoption dates, local plan boundary areas and a link to the plan.
Providing data makes your plan available on the national map and the national list of local plans.
Providing data is currently optional, but we plan to introduce legislation in future making it mandatory to provide specific local plan data.
National Planning Policy Framework
The National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF) sets out the government’s planning policies for England and how these are expected to be applied, including a policy framework for plan-making.
Planning practice guidance
The planning practice guidance (PPG) sets out more detail on how to apply planning policies.
The PPG pages most relevant to preparing a local plan are included in the sections below.
You should continue to look at the PPG to see the full range of guidance that might be relevant to your own plan. In future, we’re aiming to restructure this guidance to be clearer about what information you need at different stages of creating a local plan.
Starting a local plan
The planning practice guidance page on plan-making is a good place to start when creating your plan.
It covers key aspects of plan-making, including the role of plans, co-operating with other bodies, and making sure that strategic matters can be delivered.
Selecting sites for development
We have highlighted pages of the planning practice guidance that will help you select sites for allocation in a local plan.
They cover the process of identifying, assessing and selecting sites, as well as matters to consider during the process.
These pages are listed in the order you might approach the site selection process.
Gathering evidence and drafting your local plan
As well as the planning practice guidance (PPG) page on plan-making, the pages of the PPG in this group include guidance on preparing a proportionate, relevant and up-to-date evidence base that informs the policies in your plan. They also cover writing the policies in your plan.
These pages are set out in alphabetical order. You can choose the order that works best for your local planning authority to factor them into the plan-making process.
Creating a policies map
Recommended standards for creating the policies map to accompany your local plan.
Processing representations
A case study on how you can use a Microsoft automation to manage representations during the consultation phases of plan-making.
Plan examinations
Information about preparing for and submitting your plan for examination.