What is the Structure Plan?

The Cumbria and Lake District Joint Structure Plan is a statutory document that guides change in land use by providing a strategy and policies for the development and use of land within Cumbria, including the Lake District National Park.

As well as the Regional Planning Strategy (RSS), it provides a framework within which the District Councils and LDNPA prepare Local Plans (or replacement Local Development Frameworks (LDFs)) and the County Council prepares a Minerals and Waste Local Plan. These translate the broad Structure Plan policies relevant to their area into more detailed policies and site allocations.

The Structure Plan, together with Local Plans (or replacement LDF currently), provide the context for deciding planning applications. The Structure Plan, therefore, has a major influence on the future pattern of development in the County.

For more information on the preparation and issues within the Structure Plan please click on the menu bar to the left.