Welcome to the Planning Policy webpage which we will hope will keep you up to date with the role of the Spatial Development team at Gateshead Council. Here you will find information on the current and future development plans for Gateshead. These plans contain the planning policies that will shape the pattern of future development across the borough.
The policies contained within these plans influence decision making on planning applications that are submitted to the Council for consideration.
Currently, the most important policy document we use is the Gateshead Unitary Development Plan| (UDP) Saved Policies|. They provide a framework for how Gateshead will develop over the next few years by setting out policies governing new development. Current planning applications are considered against the UDP.
The Planning and Compulsory Purchase Act 2004 has placed town planning at the “heart of the government’s Urban Renaissance agenda and its drive to create ‘sustainable communities’. The recent introduction of the 2010 Localism Bill will see further reforms implemented which will offer more power to local communities in the development of their local areas.
Subsequently, the government wants economic development, housing and environmental protection strategies to form a framework for development. This is known as the Local Development Framework| (LDF)and will help in the delivery of the strategic priorities of Gateshead's Vision 2030| and the subsequent Bridging Document|. The Government's Planning Portal| will help you to find out more about the planning system in England.
You may also find it useful to contact Planning Aid. This organisation provides free, independent and professional advice and support to communities and individuals who cannot afford to hire a planning consultant. To find out if you may be eligible for free, independent, professional planning advice - call Planning Aid on 0870 850 9804 or visit their website at www.planningaid.rtpi.org.uk|.
Unitary Development Plan
The Unitary Development Plan| was adopted in 2007 and is the current statutory development plan for Gateshead. It sets out our planning policies for developing land, improving transport and protecting the environment in Gateshead until 2010.
Following the Planning and Compulsory Purchase Act 2004 and a subsequent direction to further save policies was approved in July 2010. Only 153 of the original UDP policies have been saved. You can view our saved policies and find out more information on the Saved Policies| webpage
The UDP has with it a range of Interim Policy Advice Notes.| These set out more detailed guidelines for certain types of development.
Local Development Framework
In September 2004, the English planning system was changed. This means that a new range of policy documents, which, together, will be known as our Local Development Framework| (LDF) will replace the UDP and all Interim Policy Advice Notes.
The documents we are currently preparing are the Core Strategy| and Urban Core Area Action Plan| which are being developed with Newcastle City Council. This sets out the strategic objectives and spatial vision for Gateshead up to the year 2030.
We are currently consulting on the draft documents in order to get your views as to how best to achieve this. For more information, please visit the Have Your Say| page.