Adopted documents

Knowsley has a comprehensive set of planning policy documents, including statutory documents in the Local Plan, supplementary planning documents, and process documents.

Local Plan Core Strategy

The Knowsley Local Plan Core Strategy was adopted in January 2016. The full adoption version of the document is available below.

The following documents are published alongside the Core Strategy

Local Plan Core Strategy Adoption Statement 

Local Plan Core Strategy Sustainability Appraisal

Proposed Submission Document (October 2012)

Appendices

Proposed Modifications (September 2014)

Non-Technical Summary

Appendices

Further Proposed Modification (August 2015)

The Plan also incorporates further modifications proposed and approved by the Council in January 2016

Schedule of Additional Modifications 

Schedule of Minor Changes and Edits

These documents are available to view in council libraries. 

Please see the Adoption Statement for further details.

Unitary Development Plan

The Knowsley Replacement Unitary Development Plan was adopted in June 2006. The full document is available below.

In the transition to the Local Plan system, 78 out of the original 82 UDP policies were saved by the Secretary of State on June 12, 2009. Three additional UDP policies were replaced upon the adoption of the Merseyside and Halton Joint Waste Local Plan. Subsequently, 36 policies were deleted with the adoption of the Local Plan Core Strategy.

As a result, 39 UDP Policies remain in effect. Appendix C of the Local Plan Core Strategy provides a comprehensive list of the UDP Policies that continue to be saved.

Local Plan Policies Map

The Local Plan Policies Map incorporates amendments made following the adoption of the Merseyside and Halton Joint Waste Local Plan in July 2013 and the Knowsley Local Plan Core Strategy in 2016.

The Policies Map is available as an interactive tool available here

Merseyside and Halton Joint Waste Local Plan

The Merseyside and Halton Joint Waste Local Plan was adopted in July 2013 by the six constituent authorities of Halton, Knowsley, Liverpool, Sefton, St. Helens, and Wirral. The plan outlines a range of policies and site allocations to support a sustainable waste management framework for the Liverpool City Region up to 2027.

Merseyside and Halton Waste Local Plan 

Adoption Statement 

Final inspectors report

Implementation and Monitoring Reports relating to the Waste Local Plan are available on the Merseyside Environmental Advisory Service website.

Further information regarding the Merseyside and Halton Waste Local Plan, please contact the Waste Local Plan team on 0151 934 2804 or email waste.dpd@sefton.gov.uk.

Supplementary planning documents

In addition to the statutory development plan, local authorities can also issue Supplementary Planning Documents (SPDs) to provide further guidance and support for the Local Plan's policies. SPDs are non-statutory documents that can elaborate on specific sites, particular issues, or general planning principles. They serve as valuable tools for ensuring that development aligns with the overall vision and objectives outlined in the Local Plan.

Local Development Order

The Knowsley Industrial and Business Parks Local Development Order (LDO) was a planning instrument that aimed to simplify the planning permission process for development within the Knowsley Industrial and Business Parks. The LDO was designed to support the regeneration of the Parks and maximize their contribution to the local and sub-regional economy.

The LDO expired on January 28, 2018, and its policies are no longer in force. However, the LDO played a significant role in facilitating development and investment within the Knowsley Industrial and Business Parks during its lifespan.

Knowsley Industrial and Business Parks: Local Development Order and Statement of Reasons and Order Design Code

Statement of Community Involvement

The Statement of Community Involvement is the document that explains how Knowsley Council will involve the community in planning issues. Community involvement has a vital role to play in planning decision making and this document sets out in detail how this will be conducted.

Local Development Scheme (LDS)

As part of the Local Plan, the council must prepare a Local Development Scheme (LDS), which outlines the schedule for the plan's preparation. The LDS serves several crucial purposes:

Informs the public

It provides a starting point for the residents of Knowsley to learn about the borough's planning policies and how they can participate in the process.

Defines the scope

It outlines which planning policy documents we will create as part of the Local Plan, specifying when they will be produced.

Establishes a timeline

It sets a timetable for reviewing the planning policy documents once they have been finalised.

The LDS is an essential tool for ensuring that the Local Plan is developed in a transparent, efficient, and inclusive manner. By providing clear timelines and engaging with the public, the LDS helps to ensure that the Local Plan meets the needs of the Knowsley community.

The council published a fourth revision to the LDS for Knowsley in July 2013. Download below.

Liverpool City Region Spatial Planning Statement of Common Ground

The Liverpool City Region Spatial Planning Statement of Common Ground has been agreed between the local authorities of Halton, Knowsley, Liverpool, St. Helens, Sefton, West Lancashire and Wirral, along with the Liverpool City Region Combined Authority. 

The Statement has been prepared jointly in response to the National Planning Policy Framework (February 2019) requirement for strategic policy-making authorities to document agreement and cooperation on cross boundary strategic planning matters1. It also forms part of the evidence required by local planning authorities to demonstrate compliance with the Duty to Cooperate on spatial planning matters.

Chat with us