Draft Consultation and Engagement Strategy

Development Plan

Set of documents which provides the basis for determining planning applications. Comprises the adopted Local Plan and other Development Plan Documents and neighbourhood plans that have been made.

Equalities Impact Assessment (EqIA)

An evaluation tool which analyses the effect that a policy or procedure will have on a particular group of people to highlight whether their needs are being met and if there are any issues requiring further action. The tool promotes equality and aims to ensure there are no discriminatory effects.

Local Plan

A Development Plan Document (DPD) which can consist of either strategic or non-strategic policies, or a combination of the two. They are subject to an independent examination by a planning inspector and are prepared in consultation with the local community. When adopted the Local Plan forms part of the statutory Development Plan against which planning applications are determined

National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF)

Sets out the government’s planning policies and how these are expected to be applied.

Neighbourhood Plan

A plan prepared by a Town/Parish Council or neighbourhood forums for a specific neighbourhood area. They are subject to community consultation, an independent examination by an examiner and a local referendum process. Once made, these documents form part of the statutory development plan for the area

Planning Inspectorate (PINS)

Executive agency of the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government. Responsible for determining outcome of planning and enforcement appeals and holding examinations into local plans.

Public Examination

The Local Plan will be examined by an independent Inspector whose role it is to assess whether the plan has been prepared in accordance with the legal and procedural requirements and whether it is sound.

Representation

A response submitted to the Council during a consultation stage of local plan preparation.

Spatial development strategy (SDS)

These documents are a new requirement under the Planning and Infrastructure Act 2025. A SDS is a high-level strategic planning document that guides sustainable growth, infrastructure, and land use across a large area, typically covering multiple local authorities.

Stakeholder

A person, group, company, association, etc. with an interest in, or potentially affected by planning policies, proposal and planning decisions in Rutland.

Tests of Soundness

A series of questions the Independent Inspector asks during the examination of a local plan to assess whether it has been positively prepared, and is justified, effective & consistent with national policy.

The Council

Rutland County Council

Town and Country Planning (Local Plans) (England) Regulations 2026

The regulations that set out the requirements for how the new local plan must be prepared.