Strategic Planning

All Local Planning Authorities (usually the District, Borough or City Council) must produce a number of strategic documents that plan out where and how development will happen in an area. Spatial planning is important to make sure that the right kind of development happens in the right place and at the right time. If new areas of housing are proposed an appropriate level of infrastructure should be included to support the new homes, for example schools, health and community facilities.

We try to influence these high-level plans by working with Local Planning Authorities and responding to consultations. We want to influence policy and affect decisions and site allocations before the planning application stage, so that the environment is placed at the heart of spatial planning from the outset.

All planning applications are decided against the policies in the strategic plans, so getting these right is the most efficient use of our time and solves a lot of problems for wildlife before they occur.

    In this section

    Local Plans

    Setting out the vision, strategy and policies to enable sustainable development in a set area over a set period of time.

    Neighbourhood Plans

    Giving communities direct power to develop a shared vision for their neighbourhood and shape the development and growth of their local area

    Waste and Minerals Plans

    Planning that relates to e.g. recycling plants or gravel extraction

    Advice for Local Authorities

    We work to ensure wildlife and ecological networks are considered with due priority within the planning system.

    Time Δ Debug Message - Perch Runway 3.2
    1787363172.75190 [907] SELECT p.pagePath, pr.routePattern, pr.routeRegExp, p.pageTemplate, pr.routeOrder, s.settingValue AS siteOffline FROM swt_pages_staging p LEFT JOIN swt_page_routes pr ON p.pageID=pr.pageID LEFT JOIN swt_settings s ON s.settingID='siteOffline' UNION SELECT NULL AS pagePath, pr2.routePattern, pr2.routeRegExp, pr2.templatePath AS pageTemplate, pr2.routeOrder, NULL AS siteOffline FROM swt_page_routes pr2 WHERE templateID!=0 ORDER BY routeOrder ASC, pagePath ASC
    1787363172.79970.0477Matched page: /discover/planning/strategic-planning, so not using routes.
    1787363172.79980.0001Server address: 216.73.216.140
    1787363172.79980Using master page: /templates/pages/default.php
    1787363172.80010.0003 [1] SELECT * FROM swt_pages_staging WHERE pagePath='/discover/planning/strategic-planning' LIMIT 1
    1787363172.80210.002 [86] SELECT DISTINCT settingID, settingValue FROM swt_settings WHERE userID=0
    1787363172.80420.0021 [1] SELECT * FROM swt_shop_cart WHERE cartID=24365063
    1787363172.80490.0008 [1] SELECT * FROM swt_shop_cart WHERE cartID=24365063
    1787363172.80570.0007 [nil] SELECT * FROM swt_shop_sales WHERE saleFrom<='2026-08-22 01:46:00' AND saleTo>'2026-08-22 01:46:00' AND saleActive=1 AND saleDeleted IS NULL ORDER BY saleOrder ASC
    1787363172.80680.0012 [2] SELECT regionKey, regionHTML FROM swt_content_regions WHERE regionPage='/discover/planning/strategic-planning' OR regionPage='*' ORDER BY regionPage DESC
    1787363172.80770.0008 [1] SELECT pageID, pageParentID, pageDepth, pageTreePosition FROM swt_pages_staging WHERE pagePath='/discover/planning/strategic-planning' OR pageSortPath='/discover/planning/strategic-planning' LIMIT 1
    1787363172.80890.0013 [1] SELECT * FROM swt_pages_staging WHERE pageID=17 LIMIT 1
    1787363172.80980.0009 [250] SELECT country, countryID FROM swt_shop_countries WHERE countryActive=1 ORDER BY country ASC
    1787363172.81150.0017Using template: /templates/pages/attributes/seo.html
    1787363172.8120.0005 [1] SELECT regionID, regionTemplate, regionPage, regionRev AS rev FROM swt_content_regions WHERE regionKey='Banner image' AND (regionPage='/discover/planning/strategic-planning' OR regionPage='*')
    1787363172.81290.0009 [nil] SELECT * FROM ( SELECT idx.itemID, c.regionID, idx.pageID, c.itemJSON, idx2.indexValue as sortval FROM swt_content_index idx JOIN swt_content_items c ON idx.itemID=c.itemID AND idx.itemRev=c.itemRev AND idx.regionID=c.regionID JOIN swt_content_index idx2 ON idx.itemID=idx2.itemID AND idx.itemRev=idx2.itemRev AND idx2.indexKey='_order' WHERE ((idx.regionID=797 AND idx.itemRev=0)) AND idx.itemID=idx2.itemID AND idx.itemRev=idx2.itemRev ) as tbl GROUP BY itemID, pageID, itemJSON, sortval, regionID ORDER BY sortval ASC
    1787363172.81450.0016 [82] SELECT * FROM swt_pages_staging WHERE pageNew=0 AND pageHidden=0 AND pageDepth >=0 AND pageDepth<=2 ORDER BY pageTreePosition ASC
    1787363172.81950.0051 [1] SELECT pageTreePosition FROM swt_pages_staging WHERE pagePath='/discover/planning/strategic-planning' LIMIT 1
    1787363172.82130.0018 [4] SELECT pageID FROM swt_pages_staging WHERE pageTreePosition IN ('000-002-004-007-001', '000-002-004-007', '000-002-004', '000-002', '000') ORDER BY pageTreePosition DESC
    1787363172.82450.0032Using template: /templates/navigation/ps_nav_template.html
    1787363172.82450 [6] Using template: /templates/navigation/ps_nav_template_children.html
    1787363172.82530.0007 [4] Using template: /templates/navigation/ps_nav_template_children.html
    1787363172.82570.0005 [29] Using template: /templates/navigation/ps_nav_template_children.html
    1787363172.82860.0029 [10] Using template: /templates/navigation/ps_nav_template_children.html
    1787363172.82960.001 [7] Using template: /templates/navigation/ps_nav_template_children.html
    1787363172.83050.0009 [9] Using template: /templates/navigation/ps_nav_template_children.html
    1787363172.83290.0024 [1] SELECT pageTreePosition FROM swt_pages_staging WHERE pagePath='/discover/planning/strategic-planning' OR pageSortPath='/discover/planning/strategic-planning' LIMIT 1
    1787363172.83470.0018 [4] SELECT * FROM swt_pages_staging WHERE pageHidden=0 AND pageNew=0 AND pageTreePosition IN ('000-002-004-007-001', '000-002-004-007', '000-002-004', '000-002', '000') ORDER BY pageTreePosition
    1787363172.83750.0029 [4] Using template: /templates/navigation/breadcrumbs.html
    1787363172.83840.0008 [1] SELECT regionID, regionTemplate, regionPage, regionRev AS rev FROM swt_content_regions WHERE regionKey='Body Content' AND (regionPage='/discover/planning/strategic-planning' OR regionPage='*')
    1787363172.83960.0012 [1] SELECT * FROM ( SELECT idx.itemID, c.regionID, idx.pageID, c.itemJSON, idx2.indexValue as sortval FROM swt_content_index idx JOIN swt_content_items c ON idx.itemID=c.itemID AND idx.itemRev=c.itemRev AND idx.regionID=c.regionID JOIN swt_content_index idx2 ON idx.itemID=idx2.itemID AND idx.itemRev=idx2.itemRev AND idx2.indexKey='_order' WHERE ((idx.regionID=798 AND idx.itemRev=19)) AND idx.itemID=idx2.itemID AND idx.itemRev=idx2.itemRev ) as tbl GROUP BY itemID, pageID, itemJSON, sortval, regionID ORDER BY sortval ASC
    1787363172.84270.0031 [1] Using template: /templates/content/mixed_content.html
    1787363172.84280.0001Using sub-template: /templates/content/text_block.html
    1787363172.84290Using sub-template: /templates/content/thumbnails.html
    1787363172.84290Using sub-template: /templates/content/image.html
    1787363172.84290Using sub-template: /templates/content/gallery.html
    1787363172.8430Using sub-template: /templates/content/video.html
    1787363172.8430Using sub-template: /templates/content/ask_inline.html
    1787363172.8430Using sub-template: /templates/content/legacy_request_form.html
    1787363172.8430Using sub-template: /templates/content/image.html
    1787363172.84310Using sub-template: /templates/content/code_block.html
    1787363172.84310Using sub-template: /templates/content/customisable_donate_form.html
    1787363172.84320Using sub-template: /templates/content/contact_form.html
    1787363172.84330.0001Using sub-template: /templates/forms/details.html
    1787363172.84330.0001Using sub-template: /templates/forms/_data_protection.html
    1787363172.84340Using sub-template: /templates/forms/_personal_details.html
    1787363172.84340.0001Using sub-template: /templates/forms/_address.html
    1787363172.84350Using sub-template: /templates/forms/_personal_details.html
    1787363172.84350Using sub-template: /templates/forms/_address.html
    1787363172.84350Using sub-template: /templates/forms/_data_protection.html
    1787363172.84360Using sub-template: /templates/forms/_personal_details.html
    1787363172.84360 [1] Using sub-template: /templates/forms/_data_protection.html
    1787363172.84520.0016Using template: /templates/pages/attributes/default.html
    1787363172.84530.0001Using sub-template: /templates/pages/attributes/seo.html
    1787363172.84530.0001Using template: /templates/pages/attributes/default.html
    1787363172.84540Using sub-template: /templates/pages/attributes/seo.html
    1787363172.84550.0001 [1] SELECT pageID, pageParentID, pageDepth, pageTreePosition FROM swt_pages_staging WHERE pagePath='/discover/planning/strategic-planning' OR pageSortPath='/discover/planning/strategic-planning' LIMIT 1
    1787363172.84730.0018 [5] SELECT * FROM swt_pages_staging WHERE pageNew=0 AND pageHidden=0 AND pageTreePosition LIKE '000-002-004-007-001%' AND pageDepth >=4 AND pageDepth<=5 ORDER BY pageTreePosition ASC
    1787363172.85060.0033 [1] SELECT pageTreePosition FROM swt_pages_staging WHERE pagePath='/discover/planning/strategic-planning' LIMIT 1
    1787363172.85190.0013 [4] SELECT pageID FROM swt_pages_staging WHERE pageTreePosition IN ('000-002-004-007-001', '000-002-004-007', '000-002-004', '000-002', '000') ORDER BY pageTreePosition DESC
    1787363172.85470.0029 [1] SELECT regionID, regionTemplate, regionPage, regionRev AS rev FROM swt_content_regions WHERE regionKey='Banner image' AND (regionPage='/discover/planning/strategic-planning/local-plans' OR regionPage='*')
    1787363172.85590.0012 [nil] SELECT * FROM ( SELECT idx.itemID, c.regionID, idx.pageID, c.itemJSON, idx2.indexValue as sortval FROM swt_content_index idx JOIN swt_content_items c ON idx.itemID=c.itemID AND idx.itemRev=c.itemRev AND idx.regionID=c.regionID JOIN swt_content_index idx2 ON idx.itemID=idx2.itemID AND idx.itemRev=idx2.itemRev AND idx2.indexKey='_order' WHERE ((idx.regionID=727 AND idx.itemRev=0)) AND idx.itemID=idx2.itemID AND idx.itemRev=idx2.itemRev ) as tbl GROUP BY itemID, pageID, itemJSON, sortval, regionID ORDER BY sortval ASC
    1787363172.85730.0014Template file not found: /home/forge/staging.sussexwildlifetrust.org.uk/admin/templates/content/.html
    1787363172.85740 [nil] SELECT regionID, regionTemplate, regionPage, regionRev AS rev FROM swt_content_regions WHERE regionKey='Banner' AND (regionPage='/discover/planning/strategic-planning/local-plans' OR regionPage='*')
    1787363172.8580.0007No matching content regions found. Check region name (Banner) and page path options.
    1787363172.85810 [nil] SELECT * FROM ( SELECT idx.itemID, c.regionID, idx.pageID, c.itemJSON, idx2.indexValue as sortval FROM swt_content_index idx JOIN swt_content_items c ON idx.itemID=c.itemID AND idx.itemRev=c.itemRev AND idx.regionID=c.regionID JOIN swt_content_index idx2 ON idx.itemID=idx2.itemID AND idx.itemRev=idx2.itemRev AND idx2.indexKey='_order' WHERE idx.regionID IS NULL AND idx.itemID=idx2.itemID AND idx.itemRev=idx2.itemRev ) as tbl GROUP BY itemID, pageID, itemJSON, sortval, regionID ORDER BY sortval ASC
    1787363172.85870.0007Template file not found: /home/forge/staging.sussexwildlifetrust.org.uk/admin/templates/content/.html
    1787363172.85880 [1] SELECT regionID, regionTemplate, regionPage, regionRev AS rev FROM swt_content_regions WHERE regionKey='Banner image' AND (regionPage='/discover/planning/strategic-planning/neighbourhood-plans' OR regionPage='*')
    1787363172.85960.0008 [nil] SELECT * FROM ( SELECT idx.itemID, c.regionID, idx.pageID, c.itemJSON, idx2.indexValue as sortval FROM swt_content_index idx JOIN swt_content_items c ON idx.itemID=c.itemID AND idx.itemRev=c.itemRev AND idx.regionID=c.regionID JOIN swt_content_index idx2 ON idx.itemID=idx2.itemID AND idx.itemRev=idx2.itemRev AND idx2.indexKey='_order' WHERE ((idx.regionID=807 AND idx.itemRev=0)) AND idx.itemID=idx2.itemID AND idx.itemRev=idx2.itemRev ) as tbl GROUP BY itemID, pageID, itemJSON, sortval, regionID ORDER BY sortval ASC
    1787363172.86080.0012Template file not found: /home/forge/staging.sussexwildlifetrust.org.uk/admin/templates/content/.html
    1787363172.86090 [nil] SELECT regionID, regionTemplate, regionPage, regionRev AS rev FROM swt_content_regions WHERE regionKey='Banner' AND (regionPage='/discover/planning/strategic-planning/neighbourhood-plans' OR regionPage='*')
    1787363172.86160.0007No matching content regions found. Check region name (Banner) and page path options.
    1787363172.86160 [nil] SELECT * FROM ( SELECT idx.itemID, c.regionID, idx.pageID, c.itemJSON, idx2.indexValue as sortval FROM swt_content_index idx JOIN swt_content_items c ON idx.itemID=c.itemID AND idx.itemRev=c.itemRev AND idx.regionID=c.regionID JOIN swt_content_index idx2 ON idx.itemID=idx2.itemID AND idx.itemRev=idx2.itemRev AND idx2.indexKey='_order' WHERE idx.regionID IS NULL AND idx.itemID=idx2.itemID AND idx.itemRev=idx2.itemRev ) as tbl GROUP BY itemID, pageID, itemJSON, sortval, regionID ORDER BY sortval ASC
    1787363172.86220.0006Template file not found: /home/forge/staging.sussexwildlifetrust.org.uk/admin/templates/content/.html
    1787363172.86220 [1] SELECT regionID, regionTemplate, regionPage, regionRev AS rev FROM swt_content_regions WHERE regionKey='Banner image' AND (regionPage='/discover/planning/strategic-planning/waste-and-minerals-plans' OR regionPage='*')
    1787363172.86310.0009 [nil] SELECT * FROM ( SELECT idx.itemID, c.regionID, idx.pageID, c.itemJSON, idx2.indexValue as sortval FROM swt_content_index idx JOIN swt_content_items c ON idx.itemID=c.itemID AND idx.itemRev=c.itemRev AND idx.regionID=c.regionID JOIN swt_content_index idx2 ON idx.itemID=idx2.itemID AND idx.itemRev=idx2.itemRev AND idx2.indexKey='_order' WHERE ((idx.regionID=809 AND idx.itemRev=0)) AND idx.itemID=idx2.itemID AND idx.itemRev=idx2.itemRev ) as tbl GROUP BY itemID, pageID, itemJSON, sortval, regionID ORDER BY sortval ASC
    1787363172.8650.0018Template file not found: /home/forge/staging.sussexwildlifetrust.org.uk/admin/templates/content/.html
    1787363172.8650 [nil] SELECT regionID, regionTemplate, regionPage, regionRev AS rev FROM swt_content_regions WHERE regionKey='Banner' AND (regionPage='/discover/planning/strategic-planning/waste-and-minerals-plans' OR regionPage='*')
    1787363172.86580.0007No matching content regions found. Check region name (Banner) and page path options.
    1787363172.86580 [nil] SELECT * FROM ( SELECT idx.itemID, c.regionID, idx.pageID, c.itemJSON, idx2.indexValue as sortval FROM swt_content_index idx JOIN swt_content_items c ON idx.itemID=c.itemID AND idx.itemRev=c.itemRev AND idx.regionID=c.regionID JOIN swt_content_index idx2 ON idx.itemID=idx2.itemID AND idx.itemRev=idx2.itemRev AND idx2.indexKey='_order' WHERE idx.regionID IS NULL AND idx.itemID=idx2.itemID AND idx.itemRev=idx2.itemRev ) as tbl GROUP BY itemID, pageID, itemJSON, sortval, regionID ORDER BY sortval ASC
    1787363172.86650.0007Template file not found: /home/forge/staging.sussexwildlifetrust.org.uk/admin/templates/content/.html
    1787363172.86660 [1] SELECT regionID, regionTemplate, regionPage, regionRev AS rev FROM swt_content_regions WHERE regionKey='Banner image' AND (regionPage='/discover/planning/strategic-planning/advice-for-local-authorities' OR regionPage='*')
    1787363172.86750.0009 [nil] SELECT * FROM ( SELECT idx.itemID, c.regionID, idx.pageID, c.itemJSON, idx2.indexValue as sortval FROM swt_content_index idx JOIN swt_content_items c ON idx.itemID=c.itemID AND idx.itemRev=c.itemRev AND idx.regionID=c.regionID JOIN swt_content_index idx2 ON idx.itemID=idx2.itemID AND idx.itemRev=idx2.itemRev AND idx2.indexKey='_order' WHERE ((idx.regionID=731 AND idx.itemRev=0)) AND idx.itemID=idx2.itemID AND idx.itemRev=idx2.itemRev ) as tbl GROUP BY itemID, pageID, itemJSON, sortval, regionID ORDER BY sortval ASC
    1787363172.86890.0014Template file not found: /home/forge/staging.sussexwildlifetrust.org.uk/admin/templates/content/.html
    1787363172.86890 [nil] SELECT regionID, regionTemplate, regionPage, regionRev AS rev FROM swt_content_regions WHERE regionKey='Banner' AND (regionPage='/discover/planning/strategic-planning/advice-for-local-authorities' OR regionPage='*')
    1787363172.86960.0007No matching content regions found. Check region name (Banner) and page path options.
    1787363172.86960 [nil] SELECT * FROM ( SELECT idx.itemID, c.regionID, idx.pageID, c.itemJSON, idx2.indexValue as sortval FROM swt_content_index idx JOIN swt_content_items c ON idx.itemID=c.itemID AND idx.itemRev=c.itemRev AND idx.regionID=c.regionID JOIN swt_content_index idx2 ON idx.itemID=idx2.itemID AND idx.itemRev=idx2.itemRev AND idx2.indexKey='_order' WHERE idx.regionID IS NULL AND idx.itemID=idx2.itemID AND idx.itemRev=idx2.itemRev ) as tbl GROUP BY itemID, pageID, itemJSON, sortval, regionID ORDER BY sortval ASC
    1787363172.87020.0005Template file not found: /home/forge/staging.sussexwildlifetrust.org.uk/admin/templates/content/.html
    1787363172.87040.0002 [1] SELECT pageID, pageParentID, pageDepth, pageTreePosition FROM swt_pages_staging WHERE pagePath='/what-we-do' OR pageSortPath='/what-we-do' LIMIT 1
    1787363172.87120.0008 [1] SELECT pageID, pageParentID, pageDepth, pageTreePosition FROM swt_pages_staging WHERE pageTreePosition='000-002' LIMIT 1
    1787363172.87190.0007 [7] SELECT * FROM swt_pages_staging WHERE pageNew=0 AND pageHidden=0 AND pageTreePosition LIKE '000-002%' AND pageDepth >=1 AND pageDepth<=2 ORDER BY pageTreePosition ASC
    1787363172.87480.0029 [1] SELECT pageTreePosition FROM swt_pages_staging WHERE pagePath='/discover/planning/strategic-planning' LIMIT 1
    1787363172.8760.0012 [4] SELECT pageID FROM swt_pages_staging WHERE pageTreePosition IN ('000-002-004-007-001', '000-002-004-007', '000-002-004', '000-002', '000') ORDER BY pageTreePosition DESC
    1787363172.8790.0029 [6] Using template: /templates/navigation/footer-nav.html
    1787363172.87970.0008 [1] SELECT pageID, pageParentID, pageDepth, pageTreePosition FROM swt_pages_staging WHERE pagePath='/make-a-difference' OR pageSortPath='/make-a-difference' LIMIT 1
    1787363172.88060.0009 [1] SELECT pageID, pageParentID, pageDepth, pageTreePosition FROM swt_pages_staging WHERE pageTreePosition='000-005' LIMIT 1
    1787363172.88120.0006 [38] SELECT * FROM swt_pages_staging WHERE pageNew=0 AND pageHidden=0 AND pageTreePosition LIKE '000-005%' ORDER BY pageTreePosition ASC
    1787363172.88480.0036 [1] SELECT pageTreePosition FROM swt_pages_staging WHERE pagePath='/discover/planning/strategic-planning' LIMIT 1
    1787363172.88620.0014 [4] SELECT pageID FROM swt_pages_staging WHERE pageTreePosition IN ('000-002-004-007-001', '000-002-004-007', '000-002-004', '000-002', '000') ORDER BY pageTreePosition DESC
    1787363172.88910.003 [10] Using template: /templates/navigation/footer-nav.html
    1787363172.89230.0032 [1] SELECT pageID, pageParentID, pageDepth, pageTreePosition FROM swt_pages_staging WHERE pagePath='/visit' OR pageSortPath='/visit' LIMIT 1
    1787363172.89330.001 [1] SELECT pageID, pageParentID, pageDepth, pageTreePosition FROM swt_pages_staging WHERE pageTreePosition='000-004' LIMIT 1
    1787363172.89390.0006 [30] SELECT * FROM swt_pages_staging WHERE pageNew=0 AND pageHidden=0 AND pageTreePosition LIKE '000-004%' AND pageDepth >=1 AND pageDepth<=2 ORDER BY pageTreePosition ASC
    1787363172.89680.0029 [1] SELECT pageTreePosition FROM swt_pages_staging WHERE pagePath='/discover/planning/strategic-planning' LIMIT 1
    1787363172.89790.0011 [4] SELECT pageID FROM swt_pages_staging WHERE pageTreePosition IN ('000-002-004-007-001', '000-002-004-007', '000-002-004', '000-002', '000') ORDER BY pageTreePosition DESC
    1787363172.90050.0026 [29] Using template: /templates/navigation/footer-nav.html
    1787363172.90290.0023 [1] SELECT pageID, pageParentID, pageDepth, pageTreePosition FROM swt_pages_staging WHERE pagePath='/make-a-difference' OR pageSortPath='/make-a-difference' LIMIT 1
    1787363172.90390.001 [1] SELECT pageID, pageParentID, pageDepth, pageTreePosition FROM swt_pages_staging WHERE pageTreePosition='000-005' LIMIT 1
    1787363172.90440.0006 [11] SELECT * FROM swt_pages_staging WHERE pageNew=0 AND pageHidden=0 AND pageTreePosition LIKE '000-005%' AND pageDepth >=1 AND pageDepth<=2 ORDER BY pageTreePosition ASC
    1787363172.90670.0022 [1] SELECT pageTreePosition FROM swt_pages_staging WHERE pagePath='/discover/planning/strategic-planning' LIMIT 1
    1787363172.90790.0012 [4] SELECT pageID FROM swt_pages_staging WHERE pageTreePosition IN ('000-002-004-007-001', '000-002-004-007', '000-002-004', '000-002', '000') ORDER BY pageTreePosition DESC
    1787363172.91060.0027 [10] Using template: /templates/navigation/footer-nav.html
    1787363172.91170.0011Request time: 0.161
    1787363172.91170Process time: 0.1608
    1787363172.91170Memory: 1.6252