Core Strategy

The Core Strategy is the key strategic document within the Local Development Framework and will provide the basis for the production of other planning documents. Its role is to set out the vision for the area over the whole period up to 2026. As there are many similar issues and challenges facing the two areas, Derbyshire Dales District Council and High Peak Borough Council have agreed to prepare a Joint Core Strategy for the area for which they are the planning authorities.

The area covered by the Core Strategy excludes the Peak District National Park, who are a separate local planning authority responsible for preparing their own Core Strategy.

The Core Strategy will:

  • Outline how the strategic development needs of Derbyshire Dales and High Peak will be delivered for the period up to 2026. It will include issues related to housing, employment, leisure and retail.
  • Play an important part in the delivery of Derbyshire Dales and High Peak Sustainable Community Strategy.

Community Conversations

As part of the on-goiong preparation of the Derbyshire Dalse and High Peak Joint Core Strategy and in order to fully engage local residents, the District Council is organising a number of Community Conversations across the District in June and July 2011.  To find out where these will take place and for more information please visit the Community Conversations webpage.

Core Strategy Timetable

The District Council has revised its timetable for the preparation of the Derbyshire Dales and High Peak Joint Core Strategy:

  • Commencement of Preparation Process - 2nd October 2006
  • Public Participation in the preparation of DPD (Issues and Options) - 26th March 2009
  • Consultation on Growth Options - 27th August 2009
  • Consultation on Preferred Options - 3rd June 2010
  • Publication of Draft Joint Core Strategy – April 2012
  • Submission to the Secretary of State – September 2012
  • Pre - Examination Meeting – November 2012
  • Examination – December 2012
  • Receipt of Inspectors Report – April 2013
  • Adoption – July 2013

Draft Plan Consultation

The Derbyshire Dales and High Peak Joint Core Strategy Draft Plan was subject to a six week period of public consultation from 3rd June 2010 to 15th July 2010.

Comments made during the consultation period are currently being assessed and will be taken into account in the preparation of the Core Strategy for Representations.

Supporting Documents

A Justification Document has also been prepared that outlines the background and reasoning behind the preferred Core Strategy. This can be downloaded using the link at the bottom of this page.

The evidence base that underpins the Draft Plan can be viewed using the links below:

High Peak Evidence Base 

Derbyshire Dales Evidence Base

Copies of the Draft Plan and Sustainability Appraisal are available to download at the bottom of this webpage or can be viewed at the offices of Derbyshire Dales District Council and High Peak Borough Council along with all local libraries. Copies of the Draft Core Strategy can also be purchased from the Town Hall, Matlock at the following costs: Joint Core Strategy Draft Plan £25; Sustainability Appraisal Report £15; Sustainability Appraisal Report Appendices £35 - alternatively all of these documents can be purchased on a CD for £5.

Growth Options Consultation

An important part of the Core Strategy is to meet the East Midlands Regional Plan requirement that 10,000 new homes be built in the Peak Sub Region between 2006 and 2026.

The responses to the Core Strategy Issues and Options suggested that the Market Towns and some of the larger villages were the most appropriate locations to achieve this.

Consultation on Growth Options took place between 27th August 2009 and 1st October 2009.

Although the growth options identified did not indicate any specific sites, or the likely scale of development it sought views on the locations of potential developments around the main Market Towns and larger villages in the plan area. 

Issues and Options Consultation

An Issues and Options consultation took place between 26th March and 21st May 2009. This sought views on the following key issues and options:

  • Development Options
  • Housing
  • Employment
  • Environment
  • Retail
  • Health and Well Being
  • Access and Transport
  • Open Space, Sport and Recreation
  • Climate Change

A detailed Issues and Options consultation document, along with a summary leaflet is available to download in the Related Documents section at the bottom of this page. The full version of the Issues and Options consultation document includes a comprehensive Sustainability Appraisal for each option. Hard copies of the Issues and Options document are available to purchase on request for a charge of £15.00.

Please note that all comments submitted online, by email or by post, will be made available to view on the consultation website. In the interests of data protection, personal contact details will not be published.

It is a requirement of the planning system that the preparation of the Core Strategy must be informed by an up-to-date evidence base on key aspects of the social, economic and environmental characteristics of an area. A number of research projects have been undertaken or are underway, which look at local and sub regional factors that can influence development in the Derbyshire Dales.

Last Updated: 27/05/2011