National planning policy (in the form of the National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF)) states that planning applications must be determined in accordance with the development plan unless material considerations indicate otherwise.
The Council has adopted a number of documents that form part of the statutory development plan and this currently consists of the adopted Wealden District Core Strategy Local Plan (February 2013), the ‘saved’ policies of the adopted Wealden Local Plan (1998) and the Affordable Housing Delivery Local Plan (May 2016). These Local Plans can be accessed at the links below.
- Affordable Housing Delivery Local Plan (May 2016)
- Wealden District Core Strategy Local Plan (February 2013)
- Adopted Wealden Local Plan (1998)
In addition, the Waste and Minerals Plan (February, 2013), the Waste and Minerals Sites Plan (February, 2017) and the Waste and Minerals Local Plan Review. Revised Policies (October 2024) (part of a series of documents collectively known as the East Sussex, South Downs and Brighton & Hove Waste and Minerals Local Plan) have been adopted by East Sussex County Council and form part of the statutory development plan.
Neighbourhood Development Plans (NDPs) also form part of the statutory development plan for their specific neighbourhood area (usually the Parish area) following a successful referendum result and adoption by Wealden District Council. At the time of writing, this includes the:
- Herstmonceux Neighbourhood Plan (July 2019)
- Hailsham Neighbourhood Plan (July 2021)
- Hellingly Neighbourhood Plan (July 2021)
- Wadhurst Neighbourhood Plan (May 2024)
- Ninfield Neighbourhood Plan (October 2024)
- East Hoathly with Halland Neighbourhood Plan (October 2024)
- Horam Neighbourhood Plan (October 2024)
The ‘made’ Neighbourhood Plans can be viewed on our Neighbourhood Planning page.