Department for Communities and Local Government

This Circular explains the new procedures for handling planning appeals in England, from 1 August 2000. The new procedures implement the Government's commitment to streamline the appeal process and speed up planning decisions, whilst safeguarding public participation and the fairness, openness and quality of decision-making.

The purpose of this Circular is to provide revised guidance to local authorities in England on the use of planning obligations under section 106 of the Town and Country Planning Act 1990 as substituted by the Planning and Compensation Act 1991. Sections 46 and 47 of the Planning and Compulsory Purchase Act 2004 give the Secretary of State the power to make regulations to replace s106, but the Secretary of State has not yet taken these powers, and so the Circular does not concern these sections.

DOE Circular 1/85 (WO 1/85) gave advice about the use of planning conditions. Much of that advice remains relevant, but it contains a number of references to legislation which has been replaced or amended since the Circular was published. This Circular brings these references up to date and incorporates additional policy guidance issued since 1985, for example, in Planning Policy Guidance Notes: in particular, it reflects guidance on the use of conditions in respect of transport, retail development, contaminated land, noise and affordable housing. Additional advice has been included in respect of design and landscape, lorry routeing, 'granny' annexes, staff accommodation, access for disabled people, holiday occupancy, and nature conservation/endangered species (see Index for details). The Circular also takes account of court decisions and includes an expanded Appendix containing 'model' conditions.

Planning Policy Guidance 13's (PPG13) objectives are to integrate planning and transport at the national, regional, strategic and local level and to promote more sustainable transport choices both for carrying people and for moving freight.

PPS1 sets out the overarching planning policies on the delivery of sustainable development through the planning system. These policies complement, but do not replace or override, other national planning policies and should be read in conjunction with other relevant statements of national planning policy. The policies set out in this PPS will need to be taken into account by regional planning bodies in the preparation of regional spatial strategies, by the Mayor of London in relation to the spatial development strategy in London and by local planning authorities in the preparation of local development documents. They may also be material to decisions on individual planning applications.

The policies in this statement apply throughout England and focus on a range of issues relating to planning for the future of town centres and the main uses that relate to them. These policies complement, but do not replace or override, other national planning policies and should be read in conjunction with other relevant statements of national planning policy. The policies set out in this statement should be taken into account by regional planning bodies in the preparation of revisions to Regional Spatial Strategies, by the Mayor of London in relation to the Spatial Development Strategy for Greater London and by local planning authorities in the preparation of local development documents, and may also be material to decisions on individual planning applications.

This code links the planning and implementation phases of major infrastructure developments. The purpose of the code is to ensure that people are given as much information as possible at all stages of a development. This includes the provision of a referee who can be approached by members of the public, if they believe that information, which should be forthcoming under the code, has not been provided.

This guide provides advice to local authorities on how to provide a more co-ordinated and customer oriented approach to obtaining the consents required for a development project (such as planning permission, listed building or conservation area consent, and approval under building regulations). It identifies the main elements of a one stop shop approach and draws upon local authority practice in suggesting different ways an authority might approach the issue.

The aim of this guide is to promote higher standards in urban design. It does not set out new policy. The Government’s policy for design in the planning system is contained in Planning Policy Guidance Note 1 General Policy and Principles (PPG1) and expounded further in other PPGs. This guide will help to encourage better design and is intended as a companion to the PPGs.

Tourism, in all its forms, is of crucial importance to the economic, social and environmental well-being of the whole country. The planning system has a vital role to play in terms of facilitating the development and improvement of tourism in appropriate locations.