Wales Planning

Unitary Development Plans are land use planning documents that set out the proposals for the development of land for a period of 15 years.  UDPs provide the basis for determining planning applications, offering certainty about what development will happen and will not be permitted.  The Plans comprise two parts (Part 1 and 2), collectively referred to as the written statement, accompanied by a proposals map.  Part 1 sets out the broad vision and aspirations for development and conservation together with the overall strategy for pursuing them.  Part 2 translates these goals and objectives into more detailed policies and development proposals. 

Work commenced on these plans after re-organisation in 1996 and to date 4 have reached Adoption.  Authorities that are at very early stages of preparation have been encouraged to move to the new quicker Local Development Plan system (Conwy, Merthyr, Rhondda Cynon Taf, Snowdonia, Torfaen).  The remaining authorities are aiming to reach adoption of their UDPs by July 2006, or have pepared retrospective SEAs.