Draft Local Plan Regulation 19 Document
Other elements in this consultation
Chapter 2 – National and Strategic Context Comment
2.1The Buckinghamshire Local Plan has been prepared within the context of national planning legislation, policy and guidance, alongside wider strategic priorities relating to sustainable development, climate change, infrastructure delivery and economic growth.
2.2The principal national policy framework for plan-making is the National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF), supported by national Planning Practice Guidance (PPG). The NPPF sets out the Government’s planning policies for England and establishes the overarching basis for preparing Local Plans and determining planning applications. This Local Plan has been developed in accordance with the December 2024 NPPF.
2.3National policy requires Local Plans to contribute to the achievement of sustainable development by balancing economic, social and environmental objectives. The NPPF expects Local Plans to plan positively for development needs over a minimum 15-year period, align growth with infrastructure provision, protect and enhance the environment and support the transition to a low-carbon economy and climate resilience.
2.4The Buckinghamshire Local Plan has therefore been prepared to meet the county’s identified development needs in a sustainable and coordinated way. The Plan seeks to ensure that growth is infrastructure-led and responsive to local circumstances, environmental constraints and community priorities. This includes meeting housing and employment needs whilst addressing wider strategic and cross-boundary planning matters.
2.5Buckinghamshire Council has engaged constructively, actively and effectively with neighbouring authorities and other prescribed bodies in relation to strategic cross-boundary matters. This includes discussions on housing need, transport infrastructure, environmental considerations and wider strategic planning issues affecting Buckinghamshire and surrounding areas.
2.6The NPPF sets out a standard method for calculating housing need. In accordance with the revised standard method, Buckinghamshire’s housing need is identified as 4,344 dwellings per annum, equating to approximately 91,230 homes over the plan period to 2045. This represents a significant increase compared to previous requirements and demonstrates the scale of growth and change which the Local Plan plans for and accommodates sustainably.
2.7The Local Plan has also been prepared in alignment with a range of other relevant plans, strategies and programmes, including the Buckinghamshire Local Transport Plan. Together, these documents help provide a coordinated and integrated approach to shaping future growth and development across Buckinghamshire.
