Basics

Canonical definitions for Spatial Development Strategies and the bodies that prepare them.

• SDS vs local plan

  For residents and practitioners · An SDS sets the strategic frame for a sub-region. A local plan allocates sites and sets detailed policy. After adoption, the local plan must be in general conformity with the SDS.

• What is a Spatial Development Strategy?

  For residents and practitioners · A Spatial Development Strategy is a high-level spatial plan for a sub-region in England. It sets strategic land-use policy for local plans and cannot allocate individual sites.

• What is a strategic planning authority?

  For practitioners · The body with the duty to prepare a Spatial Development Strategy. In the 2025 Act that is a strategic planning board, a combined authority, a combined county authority, or (where none of those cover the area) an upper-tier county or unitary council.

• What is a strategic planning board?

  For practitioners · A strategic planning board is a joint committee, created by regulations, that becomes the strategic planning authority for two or more principal authorities and prepares their SDS.

• What is general conformity?

  For residents and practitioners · After an SDS is adopted, a local plan must be in general conformity with it. That is a soundness test for the local plan. The phrase is not defined at the margins.