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.

Abolition of the Regional Spatial Strategy

On 6th July 2010 the Government revoked all Regional Spatial Strategies and published guidance for Local Planning Authorities following this. In the guidance the Government has made it clear that it is important for local planning authorities to carry on preparing local development frameworks and making decisions on planning applications.

The guidance indicates that local authorities will be responsible for establishing the right level of local housing and identifying a long term supply of housing land.

Whilst the housing figures in the Derbyshire Dales and High Peak Joint Core Strategy Draft Plan are set against the context of the housing figures in the East Midlands Regional Spatial Strategy, a review of the housing requirements for the area is to be undertaken and will be subject to public consultation later in 2010.

However the housing figures in the Derbyshire Dales and High Peak Joint Core Strategy Draft Plan, whilst important, are not the only focus of the plan. Other elements include the potential location of new development, the local economy, affordable housing and climate change along with the vision for the area to 2026. 

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

• Consultation on Scope of Sustainability Appraisal - 26th March 2009

• Public Participation in the preparation of DPD (issues and options) - 26th March 2009

• Consultation on Draft Plan 3rd June 2010

• Publication of Core Strategy for Representations – 28th October 2010

• Submission to Secretary of State – 31st March 2011

• Pre - Examination Meeting – 19th May 2011

• Examination – 28th June 2011

• Receipt of Inspectors Report – 13th October 2011

• Adoption – 24th November 2011

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 (opens in a new window) 

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.