Department for Communities and Local Government

This guide is intended as a companion to Planning Policy Guidance (PPGs) [and subsequent Planning Policy Statements (PPSs)] and aims to encourage better design and to stimulate thinking about urban design. The guide is relevant to all aspects of the built environment, from the design of buildings and spaces, landscapes, to transport systems; and for planning and development at every scale, from streets and their neighbourhoods, villages and cities, to regional planning strategies. The findings and recommendations in this report are those of the consultant authors and do not necessarily represent the views or proposed policies of Communities and Local Government.

The way places and buildings are planned, designed and looked after matters to all of us in countless ways. The built environment can be a source of everyday joy or everyday misery. Its quality is an important influence on crime, health, community cohesion and prosperity. It has a major impact on wildlife and climate change. The Government is committed to improving the places where we live, whether they be villages or large cities. This strategy lays out why and how quality of place matters and the practical steps the Government will be taking to build on the achievements of recent years and do more to create prosperous, attractive, distinctive, inclusive and sustainable world class places.

This document provides practical guidance on the use of measures which have been introduced following consultation on Greater Flexibility for Planning Permissions. It is for use by local planning authorities (LPAs) and developers, as well as individuals who wish to use one of the procedures set out below. It sets out the key features and statutory requirements for each procedure, provides a practical guide to their use, and explains how they differ from existing procedures. It also includes a summary comparison table and a list of useful weblinks.

Planning Policy Statement 4 (PPS4) sets out the Government's comprehensive policy framework for planning for sustainable economic development in urban and rural areas.

This practice guidance is intended to support the implementation of town centre policies set out in Planning Policy Statement 4: Planning for Sustainable Economic Growth (PPS4). It is aimed at helping those involved in preparing or reviewing need, impact and sequential site assessments.

This document has been developed to provide guidance to local authorities which are affected by the changes made to the planning regime for nationally significant infrastructure projects (NSIPs).

This document sets out the purpose of the Community Infrastructure Levy (CIL) and how it is intended to operate.

Planning Policy Statement 5: Planning for the Historic Environment (PPS5) sets out the Government's planning policies on the conservation of the historic environment. This replaces Planning Policy Guidance 15: Planning and the Historic Environment (PPG15) published on 14 September 1994; and Planning Policy Guidance 16: Archaeology and Planning (PPG16) published on 21 November 1990.

This Circular provides guidance on changes to the operation of the development control system.

This Circular provides guidance on the operation of the development control provisions commenced on 24 August 2005. These provisions are contained in Part 4 of the Planning and Compulsory Purchase Act 2004.