Creating locally tailored versions

Local authorities are welcome to create their own, tailored version of the Checklist that takes into account specific local issues, particularly those identified in Sustainability Appraisal/Strategic Environmental Assessment processes.

1. Most questions do not have set minimum standards as this has been left to local authorities to determine (unless there are national or regional minimum standards set). Local authorities are encouraged to set minimum standards which reflect their local context.
   (We are aware that some local authorities may already have minimum standards which are equivalent to or higher than the “good” target set in the Checklist. In this case, we suggest that they continue with their minimum standard, and adjust the “good” or “best” practice targets as appropriate.)
2. Re-weight the questions to reflect the significance of the issue they address in the local authority area. This should be informed by the SA/SEA undertaken for the local plan. Questions should ONLY be weighed against others in the same section - i.e. weight questions in “Resources” together, questions in “Ecology” together.
3. Add questions to address locally significant issues. These issues may arise as part of the SA/SEA process. Such issues must be covered by policies in either local, regional or national planning policy, otherwise the local checklist will be formulating new policy – there is then no statutory basis for that question to be considered in the planning process.

The Regional Checklist provides a degree of consistency for developers across the South West. Since the issues addressed in the Checklist are taken from the draft South West Regional Spatial Strategy (RSS) which will provide a statutory basis for every Local Development Plan in the SW, questions should not be removed from the Checklist.