National Planning is carried out by the Department for Communities and Local Government (DCLG) and provides the basis for planning in this country, by means of:

• Legislation
• Regulations, and
• Guidance

The British planning system is founded on a system of development control and the need to receive planning permission for most changes of the use of land or buildings. Decisions on development control are guided by Development Plans which have been prepared and consulted on for local authority or other areas.

Legislation
New planning legislation in the form of the Planning and Compulsory Purchase Act received Royal Assent in May 2004 and started coming into force in September 2004. Key provisions include the overhaul of the Development Plan system, with the replacement of Local Plans and Structure Plans with Local Development Frameworks and Regional Spatial Strategies.

Regulations
Planning regulations are issued periodically to supplement legislation.

Guidance
Former Planning Policy Guidance Notes (PPGs) issued by the DCLG on a wide variety of subjects, such as housing, green belts, transport, pollution, the rural economy, noise and flooding, are being updated and replaced by Planning Policy Statements (PPSs). These give assistance on matters for consideration and procedures to be followed when preparing plans and proposals. The DCLG also publishes a variety of “Good Practice” reports giving further guidance.