The City of London Corporation prepares plans and policies that set out its vision and strategy for shaping the Square Mile. The plans guide the City Corporation in its planning decisions, including deciding planning applications and drawing up proposals for enhancing the environment.
An outline of the City Corporation's planning policy documents and the programme for preparing them can be found in the Local Plan Bulletin (420kb).
Core Strategy
The Core Strategy sets out the vision and key policies for planning the City. Adopted in 2011 it is the most important planning policy document for the Square Mile.
Supplementary Planning Documents (SPD)
Supplementary Planning Documents (SPD) give additional guidance on some of the policies of the Core Strategy, where this is needed. Several new SPDs are being prepared and there are opportunities to comment on these during 2013.
Unitary Development Plan (UDP)
The Unitary Development Plan (UDP), adopted in 2002, was the previous plan for the City. Most of its policies have now lapsed but some will remain in force until they are replaced by the Local Plan in 2014.
Local Plan
We are preparing a Local Plan which will set out the future strategy for planning the City. When it's adopted in 2014 the Local Plan will replace the Core Strategy and the UDP.
Community Infrastructure Levy (CIL)
The Community Infrastructure Levy (CIL) is a charge on new development to fund infrastructure projects. We are consulting the public on a preliminary draft charging schedule . Please send us your views by 13 May 2013.
Statement of Community Involvement (SCI)
The Statement of Community Involvement (SCI) explains how we consult the public when preparing planning policies and deciding planning applications.
Local Development Scheme (LDS)
The Local Development Scheme (LDS) sets out the timetable for preparing the planning policy documents.
London Plan
The London Plan was prepared by the Mayor of London. It sets out the strategic planning context and its policies apply throughout Greater London, including the City.
Local Development Framework (LDF)
The Local Development Framework (LDF) was an umbrella term for all of the City Corporation's planning policy documents listed above. Following national reforms to the planning system in 2012 the term LDF is no longer used.
Further information
Planning policy designations can be searched on the interactive City map.
For information about the national planning policy context, visit the Planning Portal.