• Planning Policy Newsletters
• National and Regional Planning Context
• Local Development Framework
• Core Strategy
• Worthing Local Plan 2003 - Saved Policies
• Supplementary Planning Documents
• Development Briefs
• Infrastructure Planning and Planning Contributions
• Conservation and Heritage
• Transport Planning
• Five Year Housing Land Supply Assessment

Planning Policy

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01273 263009

planningpolicy@worthing.gov.uk

Planning Policy

The planning system seeks to guide appropriate development to the right place and prevent inappropriate development taking place. It aims to secure sustainable development, which means being able to provide necessary homes, jobs and services in a way that protects and enhances the best qualities of our built and natural environment.  It is the role of all Local Planning Authorities to produce a range of documents containing planning policies and guidance for the location and design of development within their area. 

A wide range of documents are published by the Council's Planning Policy Team - the most recent key documents of which fall within the Local Development Framework (see separate section of this website).  A brief summary of these and other key topic areas is set out below.  For more detailed information and copies of the documents themselves, please use the links supplied.

To keep interested parties up to date, the Council publishes a regular Planning Policy Newsletter that provides information on the progression of the Local Development Framework and other related planning issues.

National and Regional Planning Context - There is just one planning system in England, but it operates on many levels.  Local development is influenced by what happens regionally and nationally.  This link provides an overview of the key elements including national planning guidance, regional plans and themes emerging as part of the Government's Localism agenda.

Local Development Framework - The Local Development Framework (LDF) is a portfolio of documents which together will guide development within Worthing.  Collectively these documents set out the Council's planning policies for meeting the community's economic, environmental and social needs where this affects the development and use of land. 

Core Strategy - The Worthing Core Strategy (April 2011) is the key document in the Local Development Framework as it sets out the overall vision and strategy for place-making and it provides the context for all subsequent Local Development Documents.

Worthing Local Plan - Preceding the Local Development Framework, Worthing’s Local Plan (adopted in September 2003) provided the main planning framework for the Borough. Wider planning strategies for the South East were set by national and regional policies such as the West Sussex Structure Plan, 2001-2016.  Changes in legislation and the adoption of the Core Strategy has meant that most of the Local Plan policies have been superseded or deleted.  However, several policies remain 'saved' so these and other details relating to the Local Plan can be viewed using this link.

Supplementary Planning Guidance / Documents - These documents provide more detail to support policies established within higher level Development Plan Documents.  This link sets out adopted guidance and also summarises work being undertaken to progress new and revised documents.

Development Briefs - The Council has published a number of Development Briefs for key sites within the Borough.  The purpose of the Briefs is to set out the requirements of the Local Planning Authority, the Highway Authority and other service providers. It sets out the principles of development that will need to be adopted and provides a basis on which developers and landowners can prepare plans and financial programmes.  It is expected that subsequent Development Briefs will be published by the Council to help bring forward some of the Areas of Change identified in the Core Strategy.

Infrastructure Planning and Planning Contributions - Infrastructure planning work helps to ensure that there is a common understanding between service providers, developers, communities and the Council as to what local infrastruture needs are.  This section links the Council's Infrastructure Delivery Plan, work on the Community Infrastructure Levy and information of Planning Contributions.

Conservation and Heritage - Worthing has many important areas of historic character and heritage together with sites of archaeological importance.  It is vital that the attractive urban character and historic character of the town is maintained.  This link provides information on these assets that include 26 Conservation Areas and numerous Listed Buildings.

Regeneration (Masterplan) - The Worthing Masterplan (Dec 2006) provides a vision of how the Council intends the Borough to develop.  The four key areas covered include the Seafront Strategy, the Public Realm Strategy, the Civic & Cultural Hub and the Retail Strategy.  The key regeneration aims of the Masterplan were incorporated within the Core Strategy. 

Transport Planning - West Sussex County Council is the highway authority responsible for the majority of roads within the Worthing. However, the, Borough Council is involved in transport issues such as cycling, liaison on public transport and ensuring appropriate access is provided to new development. This section provides an overview of these issues and links to relevant documents. 

Five Year Housing Land Supply - Information relating to the Council's housing land supply situation which is a key consideration when gauging whether the Council has an adequate supply of available sites for housing to meet identified need.

Contacts

If you have any queries or questions please contact the Planning Policy Team:

• Email: planningpolicy@worthing.gov.uk
• Telephone: 01273 263009

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