Duty to cooperate
Local plans are prepared by local planning authorities. They set out a framework for the future development of an area on a 15-year horizon and are the starting-point for considering whether planning applications should be approved.
The Localism Act 2011 placed a legal ‘duty to cooperate’ on local planning authorities and county councils in England, as well as some public bodies to maximise the effectiveness of local plan and marine plan preparation, including:
- The preparation of development plan documents.
- The preparation of other local development documents.
- The preparation of marine plans.
- Activities that can reasonably be considered to prepare the way for activities within these plans or documents.
- Activities that support activities within these plans or documents.
This includes:
- Considering whether to consult on, prepare, enter into and publish, agreements on joint approaches.
- Considering whether to prepare joint local development documents.
Other public bodies with a duty to cooperate with local planning authorities, county councils and other bodies are prescribed in the Town and Country Planning (Local Planning) (England) Regulations 2012 as amended by The National Treatment Agency (Abolition) and the Health and Social Care Act 2012 (Consequential, Transitional and Saving Provisions) Order 2013:
- Civil Aviation Authority
- Clinical commissioning groups.
- Environment Agency
- Highways authorities.
- Historic Buildings and Monuments Commission for England (Historic England).
- Homes and Communities Agency.
- Integrated Transport Authorities.
- Marine Management Organisation.
- Mayor of London.
- National Health Service Commissioning Board.
- Natural England.
- Office of Rail Regulation.
- Transport for London.
NB The Planning Officers Society has suggested that the duty to co-operate is causing too many local plans to fail and should be restricted to the strategic stage. (PLANNING FOR A BETTER FUTURE Our planning manifesto for the next government 19 February 2014)
[edit] Find out more
[edit] Related articles on Designing Buildings Wiki
Featured articles and news
Shading for housing, a design guide
A look back at embedding a new culture of shading.
The Architectural Technology Awards
The AT Awards 2025 are open for entries!
ECA Blueprint for Electrification
The 'mosaic of interconnected challenges' and how to deliver the UK’s Transition to Clean Power.
Grenfell Tower Principal Contractor Award notice
Tower repair and maintenance contractor announced as demolition contractor.
Passivhaus social homes benefit from heat pump service
Sixteen new homes designed and built to achieve Passivhaus constructed in Dumfries & Galloway.
CABE Publishes Results of 2025 Building Control Survey
Concern over lack of understanding of how roles have changed since the introduction of the BSA 2022.
British Architectural Sculpture 1851-1951
A rich heritage of decorative and figurative sculpture. Book review.
A programme to tackle the lack of diversity.
Independent Building Control review panel
Five members of the newly established, Grenfell Tower Inquiry recommended, panel appointed.
Welsh Recharging Electrical Skills Charter progresses
ECA progressing on the ‘asks’ of the Recharging Electrical Skills Charter at the Senedd in Wales.
A brief history from 1890s to 2020s.
CIOB and CORBON combine forces
To elevate professional standards in Nigeria’s construction industry.
Amendment to the GB Energy Bill welcomed by ECA
Move prevents nationally-owned energy company from investing in solar panels produced by modern slavery.
Gregor Harvie argues that AI is state-sanctioned theft of IP.
Experimental AI housing target help for councils
Experimental AI could help councils meet housing targets by digitising records.
BSRIA Occupant Wellbeing survey BOW
Occupant satisfaction and wellbeing tool inc. physical environment, indoor facilities, functionality and accessibility.