Local development frameworks (LDF)

Local spatial planning that helps local authorities facilitate high-quality, well-designed places and spaces.

Hammarby, Stockholm. Look at other cities and places as a benchmark and have high aspriations for the future of your place.

Hammarby, Stockholm. Look at other cities and places as a benchmark and have high aspriations for the future of your place. Photo by David Cowlard, Urban Exposure.

A good local development framework (LDF) should:

  • provide a clear and robust policy framework including a clear vision and strategy that embeds a design ethos and a locally distinctive  policy that makes it clear to developers what is acceptable
  • ensure that policies cover a range of scales including the core strategy, area action plans, design and area-specific supplementary planning documents, site briefs, masterplans and design codes.

LDF support at CABE

Delivering good design through core strategies

Guidance for planning authorities on creating a core strategy for your local development framework, developed through consultation with over 50 local authorities and a panel of professional experts.

Protecting design quality in planning

Setting out other tools to use to ensure excellent design is part of the planning process.

LDF guidance on the web