Local Plan Project Management Support 2022
Scope of Project
DAC Planning, in collaboration with Arup, are leading a team of experienced planners to provide Local Plan Project Management Reviews on behalf of the Planning Advisory Service and DLUHC. The project team assesses the suitability and effectiveness of the project management approach being used by selected local authorities in preparing their local plans.
The support provides local authorities with an assessment of the suitability and effectiveness of the project programme/plans and resources that are in place to produce the Local Plan. Where appropriate we provide targeted follow-on support to keep the project management of the Local Plan on track. We also identify where further support may be required to assist with the overall ‘soundness’ of the Local Plan.
Local Plan Project Management Support 2021
Scope of Project
Over the course of 2021 and early 2022, DAC Planning, in collaboration with Arup, led a team of experienced planners to provide project management support on behalf of the Planning Advisory Service and DLUHC. The project built on the previous Gateway Review programme, aimed at supporting local planning authorities across the country in getting up-to-date plans in place by the Government’s deadline of December 2023.
Project Outcome
By the end of the programme, the team provided project management support to 20 local authorities across England.
Gateway Review
Scope of Project
DAC Planning, in collaboration with Arup, led a team of experienced planners to provide the Local Plan Gateway Review programme on behalf of the Planning Advisory Service and DLUHC in 2021. The programme was aimed at supporting local planning authorities across the country in getting up-to-date plans in place by the Government’s deadline of December 2023.
Gateway Reviews provide an independent assessment of the risks and opportunities that authorities are facing in getting an up-to-date local plan in place. The outputs have enabled local authorities to take an informed decision on the most efficient and effective course of action for the immediate future of the local plan, identify where further support is needed and create a dialogue for officers and members about keeping the plan ‘on-track’.
Project Outcome
At the conclusion of the project, the team provided Gateway Reviews to over 60 local authorities across England. The support was provided to around 20% of all English local authorities.
LOCAL PLAN Support - Local Plan Route Mapper and Toolkit
Scope of Project
The Planning Advisory Service (PAS) commissioned DAC Planning to help support local authorities navigate the Local Plan production process.
DAC Planning Director David Coleman led a team to create fresh guidance for local authorities to support Local Plan production and review in the form of a Local Plan Route Mapper and Toolkit. The new guidance reflects updated Regulations, the National Planning Policy Framework 2019 and Planning Practice Guidance to:
- Support Councils to develop high quality, sound and legally compliant Local Plans in the most efficient and effective way;
- Provide advice on how to address the new requirements to review local plans every five years;
- Assist Councils to ensure they meet regulatory requirements;
- Provide best practice ‘top tips’; and
- Offer guidelines on how to identify, assess and manage risk factors.
Project Outcome
After piloting with a range of Councils, DAC Planning produced a Local Plan Route Mapper and Toolkit in October 2019 to help local authorities undertake a review or update of policies in their local plan.
The Local Plan Route Mapper provides advice on how to undertake a review of local plan policies, project plan and manage the update of local plan polies, and carry out a policies update. The guidance and toolkit replaces the PAS Soundness and Legal Compliance Checklists.
DAC Planning provided a programme of direct plan-making support to a range of local planning authorities nationally on behalf of PAS, including Central Lincolnshire authorities, Canterbury City Council, Torbay Council, Salford City Council, Newcastle City Council, Chichester District Council, Rother District Council and the Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea.
