Part 1: Planning Local development documents Section 8: Content of development plan documents
This section amends sections 19 and 35 of the Planning and Compulsory Purchase Act 2004 (‘the 2004 Act’) to require local planning authorities in England to identify the strategic priorities for the development and use of land in the authority’s area. Each authority must set out policies to address those priorities in their development plan documents unless they are satisfied that these priorities are addressed in a spatial development strategy that covers their area (in Greater London or in the area of a combined authority that has the function of preparing a spatial development strategy). Authorities must make clear in each monitoring report published under section 35 of the 2004 Act the extent to which they are relying on policies in a spatial development strategy to deliver their strategic priorities, and where the relevant policies are to be found.
	This section also amends section 34 of the 2004 Act to require the Secretary of State to produce guidance for local planning authorities about how their local development documents, taken as a whole, should address the housing needs of older and disabled people. Local planning authorities must have regard to this guidance when discharging their plan-making responsibilities.
	This section extends to England and Wales but applies to England only.