It ensures that planning applications are considered on a consistent and fair basis, balancing the interests of the site owner or developer with the interests of others. The interests of others will always include owners and occupiers of neighbouring properties, but it can also include the interests of the borough as a whole and for some developments, potentially the interests of the region or even the national interest. And significantly, it enables people to get involved in the process that will shape the future of the borough.
The most significant part of planning policy is the development plan. It is set down in law that all decisions on planning applications must be made in accordance with the development plan unless there are good, clearly identified reasons why a different decision should be taken.
The development plan for Wigan is the Replacement Unitary Development Plan and the Regional Spatial Strategy for the North West of England.
The Replacement Unitary Development Plan is now part of the Wigan Local Development Framework.
The development plan cannot be prepared in isolation. The Local Development Framework has to be in ‘general conformity’ with the Regional Spatial Strategy. Both must be consistent with national planning policy unless, respectively, there are local or regional considerations that have been shown to override national planning policy (External link), to the satisfaction of an independent inspector from HM Planning Inspectorate (External link).
If you want to get involved in the planning policy process, please view the council’s Statement of Community Involvement and register your interest.
Related entries
Useful contacts
