The Core Strategy is the first planning policy document to be produced within the Watford Local Development Framework. The aim of the Core Strategy is to set out the vision for Watford in 2021 and the broad principles and proposals for development to achieve that vision, and to meet known and anticipated development requirements.
The Core Strategy will set out the strategic elements of the planning framework for the borough, including the overall spatial strategy, key policies, and a monitoring and implementation framework. The Strategy must help to implement other strategies such as the Community Plan, the Local Transport Plan and the Regional Spatial Strategy. It includes a key diagram to show significant policy areas and constraints and key transportation elements. The Core Strategy will include a number of strategic policies, of two types: 'area policies'. dealing with specific locations or land uses, and 'borough-wide policies', which apply across the whole of Watford.
The Core Strategy is one of three DPDs to be produced as part of the Local Development Framework. It will set out broad locations for development, but not individual sites - instead, these will be identified as part of a separate 'site allocations' DPD. A further 'development control policies' DPD will set out the main principles with which applications for planning permission will have to comply. All subsequent DPDs will have to be consistent with the Core Strategy.
For more details please visit Watford's Local Development Framework.
If you would like any further information, please contact the Planning Policy Team on 01923 278263 or by email to strategy@watford.gov.uk.