ABSTRACT
The legislative framework of the land use planning system in the United Kingdom operates differently in England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland, but the common thread that exists in all four countries is that the planning system should be 'plan-led'. The legislative framework is different in Wales, with the National Development Framework introduced by the Planning (Wales) Act 2015, but similar principles apply with national spatial planning policies cascading down to bodies charged with strategic and local plan making. A plan-led system also emphasises the general need for community involvement and public consultation to be woven into each tier from plan making through to decisions on planning applications. Early and meaningful engagement and collaboration with neighbourhoods, local organisations and businesses is essential. The hybrid bill is an alternative route by which planning consent may be granted, and as such offers unique opportunities for public involvement.
