The new system is, in my opinion, even more difficult to understand than the old one, though the idea behind it is to make it easier to change local planning policies, and therefore keep them more up-to-date. It remains to be seen how well this will work out in practice.
One little-publicised side-effect is that, whereas the recommendations of a Planning Inspector presiding over a Public Enquiry into a Local Plan Revision are not binding on the council, the corresponding recommendations in respect of LDF documents will be. Thus, central government have effectively removed the last element of independence for local planning authorities from the planning system. So much for local "democracy"! Only allowed, it seems if the LPA agrees with the government.
I am not going to attempt to explain LDFs . If you are interested, go to West Devon Borough Council's web site and follow the links under Services to Planning.
24 Sep 06