Adopted planning policy

The development plan (local plan) is formed by national and local documents which set out policies for planning applications to be assessed against.

Local Plan examination

We have developed a new local plan which sets out a vision and objectives for Leicester’s growth until 2036.

The Local Plan is an important planning document that once adopted will set out the vision and aims for growth of the city up to 2036. The plan will be used to allocate sites for development, deliver infrastructure, influence economic investment and make decisions on planning applications. 

Following previous consultations, the local plan has now been submitted to government. An independent examination is expected shortly which will review the plan. Following approval by government, it will be adopted as planning policy to guide planning decisions in Leicester.

• Go to the Local Plan examination page

National planning policy

The government have produced the National Planning Policy Framework and the National Planning Practice Guidance (NPPG) setting out their planning policies for England and how these are to be applied. The NPPG is an online, living document ensuring up-to-date information in a quick and easily navigable format.

• National Planning Policy Framework and Planning Practice Guidance

Local planning policy

We have a number of documents which form the current development plan and are outlined below. Additional guidance is contained in the form of supplementary planning documents (SPDs). To view these documents, see the supplementary planning documents webpage.

For details of new policy which has yet to be adopted, see the emerging planning policy webpage.

• View adopted local plan policies on our web mapping system

Core strategy

The Core strategy was adopted in July 2014 and sets out the spatial planning strategy for the city and objectives and policies for new development.

• Core strategy (July 2014)

Leicester and Leicestershire waste policy

The city’s policy for waste related development is contained in a core strategy and development control policies document, produced jointly with Leicestershire County Council and adopted by both authorities in October 2009.

• Waste core strategy and development control policies up to 2021 (October 2009)

Local plan saved policies

A number of ‘saved’ policies from the city of Leicester Local Plan 1996-2016, currently still form part of the development plan while the new policy documents are being prepared. Any elements of the plan which are no longer relevant have been struck-through on the following document.

• City of Leicester Local Plan 1996-2016 saved policies version (January 2006)

Statement of community involvement

We have produced a statement of community involvement (SCI), as required under government legislation. This SCI sets out how we will involve the public, developers, businesses and other agencies in the preparation of its planning policy documents and in the determination of planning applications.

• Statement of community involvement (2014)
• Statement of community involvement (2019) (PDF)

Local development scheme (LDS)

We also produced a local development scheme which provides up to date information on what planning documents will be produced within the next three years. The latest LDS covers the period from 2023 to 2026.

• Local development scheme (2023-2026) (PDF)

Authority monitoring report (AMR)

We have produced an AMR to review implementation of the planning policies in the Local Plan and the Core Strategy and to review the progress of the Local Development Scheme. Our most recent AMR covers the year 2021 to 2022.

• Authority monitoring report (2021-2022) (PDF)
• Authority monitoring report (2019-2020 - 2020-2021) (PDF)
• Authority monitoring report (2017-2019) (PDF)

Further information

See the planning policy evidence base pages to view documents associated with the preparation and adoption of the above plans. 

Contact us

Send us an email [email protected]