The preparation of a local development scheme (LDS) is a requirement of the Planning and Compulsory Purchase Act 2004 (as amended). This is the 2025 version of the LDS and replaces the previous version published in 2023. The LDS sets out the expected timetable for the preparation of local development documents over the next 3 years.
Local Development Documents fall into 3 categories:
The adopted documents set out below form the statutory development plan for Brighton & Hove. Planning applications received by the council must be determined in accordance with the statutory development plan.
Development Plan Documents are an important mechanism in helping to deliver Brighton & Hove’s citywide strategies. These include the economic, local transport, housing, community safety, climate change, tourism, sports and cultural strategies.
The following documents are currently being prepared and will form part of the development plan once adopted.
Overview
Timetable
The following documents are proposed, with work yet to begin.
Overview
Indicative timetable
It should be noted that Sussex and Brighton have joined the government’s Devolution Priority Programme which will create a Mayoral Strategic Authority covering East Sussex, West Sussex and Brighton & Hove with mayoral elections expected in 2026. A separate process of Local government reorganisation is expected to be implemented in 2027-28 which may result in the boundaries of the Brighton & Hove unitary authority changing. The Local Development Scheme will be updated should these changes require the timetable to change.
When preparing all plans, the council seeks to ensure that its proposals are integrated with, and complimentary to, a range of adopted policies and strategies.
Other strategies produced by the council that are considered in the preparation of DPDs include:
The Council also works closely with neighbouring local authorities to support the development of their LDDs and to ensure that cross boundary issues are dealt with effectively including, when required, making representations at Local Plan Examinations as part of the Duty to Cooperate.
The SPDs listed below provide additional guidance and information relating to the implementation of policies contained in DPDs. They do not form part of the statutory development plan for the city but a material consideration in the determination of planning applications.
Below are the key milestones for currently programmed forthcoming SPDs as well as a description of each document. Further SPDs may be produced during the three-year period covered by this LDS subject to need and resources.
The preparation of a masterplan for the Eastern Seafront will help support high-quality, innovative regeneration through improving access, activation of the seafront, coherent place-making, environmental enhancement and protection of the world class heritage assets. There is no timescale for this project at present.
The preparation of a set of planning rules, known as a Design Code, to guide the design of future buildings and public spaces in the city centre.
Stage 1: ‘Analysis’- Summer 2025
Stage 2: ‘Vision’- Spring/Summer 2026
Stage 3: ‘Code’- Summer/Autumn 2027
Neighbourhood planning allows parish councils and neighbourhood forums to draw up a Neighbourhood Development Plan (NDP) for their area; once adopted, these plans become Development Plan Documents and guide decision-taking for the areas covered. Neighbourhood planning is community-led, with support provided by the Local Planning Authority. The timetable for preparing neighbourhood plans, and the primary resources for doing so, are the responsibility of the Parish Council or Neighbourhood Forum.
There are two neighbourhood areas in the city with ‘Made’ Neighbourhood Plans that have been examined, been through a referendum and adopted by the city council, these are:
Four areas of the city are working towards the preparation of neighbourhood plans. These are summarised below.
Neighbourhood Area and Forum was designated in November 2018. Forum re-designation was approved in March 2024.
Neighbourhood Area and Forum designated in November 2021. A draft plan was consulted on under regulation 14 in June/July 2024.
Neighbourhood Area and Forum designated in August 2022. A draft plan was consulted upon under regulation 14 in May/June 2024. Regulation 16 consultation is taking place from January to March 2025.
Applications to form Neighbourhood Area and Neighbourhood Forum have been submitted.
A number of Supplementary Planning Guidance documents remain material considerations in the determination of planning applications. These are listed below.
SPG02 - External Paint Finishes and Colours, October 1998
SPG10 - King Alfred/RNR Site: Planning Brief, 2002
SPG11 - Listed building interiors, September 2003
SPG19 - Fire Precaution Works to Historic Buildings, May 2004
SPG20 - Brighton Marina, Masterplan for Enhancement
The Statement of Community Involvement (SCI) sets out how and when the Council will involve the community and other interested people and organisations ('stakeholders') in the preparation of its planning policy documents, and also in the consideration of planning applications in Brighton & Hove. The SCI was adopted by the Council on 12 March 2015. It is intended to update the SCI in 2025.
The Community Infrastructure Levy (CIL) allows local authorities in England and Wales to raise funds from certain types of new development for strategic infrastructure to support growth. The council published its adopted CIL Charging Schedule in May 2020 and implemented CIL charges from 5 October 2020.
Local planning authorities are required to prepare and publish monitoring reports on the progress of their development plans. We produce a monitoring report every 12 which is made available on the Council’s website.
The performance of the council against the LDS timetable is monitored in the Authority Monitoring Report (AMR), published annually on the council’s website.
The AMR provides information on the following:
The information in the AMR is used to identify work priorities. The LDS will be reviewed as the need for further documents emerges and to ensure that a three-year programme is maintained.