THE adoption of the Local Development Scheme, which will influence the future direction of planning policy, has been recommended by North Wiltshire district councillors.

Members of the district council's executive made the decision at a meeting last Thursday.

Until now the district council had a duty to prepare planning policies.

However, following new planning legislation introduced last July, this system has been replaced by the Regional Spatial Strategy, a policy to look at development across the south west, and a variety of other policies which will be called the Local Development Framework.

As part of its remit, the latter sets out guidance for any development proposed in conservation areas, and for the provision of low-cost housing.

The Local Development Scheme will form just one of parts of the Local Development Framework and will concentrate on the area of north Wiltshire.

All local planning authorities now have to consult with communities across the area.

Lachlan Robertson, local plan team leader, said it was expected the community involvement would begin sometime in March.