Local Development Framework - Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1: Are the old Hampshire, Portsmouth and Southampton Minerals and Waste Local Plan 1998 and Hampshire County Structure Plan 1996-2011 (Review) still in use?

At present, yes. The Minerals and Waste Local Plan and County Structure Plan are 'saved' (still the legal plans) for up to three years (to 2007). They will gradually be replaced as the various sections of the new Hampshire Minerals and Waste Development Framework are produced.

2: How can I get involved?

The Government is very keen that as many people as possible get involved in planning, and the preparation of planning documents. Each part of the Hampshire Minerals and Waste Development Framework will go through several different consultation stages, and everyone is encouraged to have their say on whatever is proposed. The Statement of Community Involvement, describes the different ways people can get involved in the planning process.

3: How does it affect me?

Although not everyone is affected by living or working near to a mineral quarry or aggregate recycling site, or a waste recycling or disposal site, just about everyone in Hampshire and the cities relies on minerals in some way and produces some form of rubbish or waste. In this way everyone has a part to play in planning for minerals and waste, and reducing the impact on our county and its communities.

4: How is the new Hampshire Minerals and Waste Development Framework different from the old Structure and Local Plans?

The main difference will be that the Hampshire Minerals and Waste Development Framework will be made up of a number of separate planning documents. These will be:

the Minerals and Waste Development Scheme (a project plan of what will be done over the next three years)
the Statement of Community Involvement (which sets out how the local community will be able to get involved in the planning process)
the Core Strategy (the strategic, County-wide approach to planning for minerals and waste)
the Minerals Sites Plan (identifying sites for mineral extraction, wharves and rail depots for handling gravel and recycling construction and demolition waste)
the Waste Sites Plan (identifying sites for facilities to handle, recycle and dispose of different kinds of waste)

In addition, the last three of these documents will require what is known as a Sustainability Appraisal, which is an assessment process to make sure (as far as possible) that the plans are sustainable and will cause the least possible harm to the Hampshire's communities and environment).

5: What is the Hampshire Minerals and Waste Development Framework?

Government recently passed the Planning and Compulsory Purchase Act 2004, which requires all planning authorities to produce a new Local Development Framework instead of the old District or Borough Plans, Structure Plans or Unitary Plans. County Council and Unitary Planning Authorities used to have to prepare Minerals and Waste Plans, planning for the extraction of minerals, dealing with waste and recycling. They will now have to prepare Minerals and Waste Development Frameworks.

The Hampshire Minerals and Waste Development Framework will replace the old Hampshire, Portsmouth and Southampton Minerals and Waste Local Plan 1998.

6: When will the Hampshire Minerals and Waste Development Framework be ready?

As described above, the Hampshire Minerals and Waste Development Framework is made up of a number of separate planning documents, and most of these will go through several stages of consultation including a Public Inquiry in front of an independent Planning Inspector. Each document will be finally adopted by the Councils at different stages. The Hampshire Minerals and Waste Development Scheme has more details on these stages.

7: Where can I see it?

Generally, each planning document as it is prepared will be available from Council offices, local libraries and on the websites of Hampshire, Portsmouth and Southampton Councils. For more information, please contact us.

8: Who prepares the Hampshire Minerals and Waste Development Framework?

Some parts of the Hampshire Minerals and Waste Development Framework will be prepared jointly by Hampshire County Council, Portsmouth City Council and Southampton City Council (all of which are Minerals and Waste Planning Authorities for their own areas); some will be prepared separately by each authority. The Hampshire Minerals and Waste Development Scheme has more information on this.

Planning and Development