Planning Briefs

Torbay Development Briefs

'A site-specific brief forms a stepping stone between the provisions of the development plan and the requirements of a planning application. The process of preparing and implementing a planning brief provides a framework for collecting information about a site, and investigating and evaluating different interests in it.' (ODPM)

Planning briefs are usually adopted as supplementary planning guidance. They bridge the gap between the regional and local development plans and a planning application, and can perform a number of functions such as promoting a site for development, interpreting development plan policies, or addressing a particular site constraint or opportunity.

There are several types of brief:

• those which clarify policies and their application to a specific site;
• those which seek to promote development of a difficult site or a site in public ownership; and
• those which provide design guidance responding to particular attributes of a site or its surroundings.

Planning Briefs may perform all of these functions depending on the particular nature of the development or site.  

Supplementary Planning Guidance (SPG) will be given more weight as a material consideration in the development control context if it is prepared in consultation with the public, and is adopted by council resolution. Our development plan-led system of development control requires planning decisions to be made in accordance with the development plan for the area, unless material considerations indicate otherwise. Planning Policy Guidance Note (PPG) 12 advises that SPG should be consistent with the development plan and cross-referenced to the relevant plan policy or proposal. Further guidance on Planning Policy Guidance Notes and the Emerging Planning Policy Statements are available from the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister.

SPG (PPG12 refers) does not have the same status as an adopted development plan policy. Planning briefs should provide guidance, supplementing, elucidating and exemplifying the policies and proposals of the development plan. They should be consistent with and referenced to the plan. They should not contradict, rewrite or introduce new policies.

Some development plan policies are general and broad-brush and there is considerable scope for interpretation in the planning brief. The planning brief may address issues such as the mix of uses, access arrangements and layout of the development.

The Strategic Planning Team (in consultation with Development And Conservation Services) has produced a number of Planning Briefs for sites within Torbay:

• Scotts Bridge/Barton Phase 1,  Torquay
• Scotts Bridge/Barton Phase 2,  Torquay
• Great Parks Planning Brief, Paignton
• Great Parks Planning Brief Phase 2, Paignton
• Former Dolphin Holiday Park, Brixham (not yet available)
• Yalberton Road Employment Park, Paignton
• Long Road South Business Park, Paignton

Further details about the documents produced by the Strategic Planning Team  can be found in the  Publications List.

Related Documents

Publications List

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