Local Development Plans

Local Development Plans (LDPs) - previously known as Detailed Area Plans (or DAPs) are planning tools used to provide better design control measures than those under Residential Design Codes (R-Codes) for matters relating to urban design and the overall look of a built area.

LDPs will often vary, reflecting the differences in areas and scenarios that may arise in urban settings such as streetscapes, garage location, solar orientation, passive surveillance, noise, access to primary roads, mixed-use development, landscape, the pedestrian network, building height, and topography.

What is a Local Development Plan?

Local development plans are used in limited situations to guide the design and development of small and constrained lots or to achieve particular design outcomes.  Local development plans are often required as a result of a subdivision condition imposed by the Western Australian Planning Commission for subdivision approval.

A local development plan means a plan setting out specific and detailed guidance for a future development including one or more of the following —

1. site and development standards that are to apply to the development;
2. specifying exemptions from the requirement to obtain development approval for development in the area to which the plan relates.

How to lodge a Local Development Plan application?

To lodge a local development plan application, you will need to complete the following steps.

• You can submit a local development plan application by following steps 1 – 3 and email it to info@sjshire.wa.gov.au.

The application must include:

1. A cover letter detailing the specifics of the Local Development Plan that clearly states which provisions of State Planning Policy 7.3 Residential Design Codes are proposed to be varied and provides justification for the proposal.
2. A scaled Local Development Plan.
3. The appropriate fee being paid. Refer to Fees and Charges.

Upon receipt of a Local Development Plan application, the Shire will assess the application in accordance with the process outlined under the Planning and Development (Local Planning Schemes) Regulations 2015. To view the Department of Planning, Lands and Heritage Local Development Plans flowchart click here.

For further information, please contact Strategic Planning Services on 9526 1111 or by email info@sjshire.wa.gov.au.

Why is There a LDP For My Area?

LDPs are most frequently applied to areas of small lot developments and mixed use within the Shire. These design requirements are applied to protect and enhance the overall beauty of the neighbourhood and to ensure that these developments have a coordinated approach to achieve good design.

It is general practice that land developers provide potential buyers with a copy of the applicable LDP at the time of purchase. Home owners and potential purchasers should be aware that a LDP may apply if a house on a small 'freehold title lot' (generally less than 500sqm) is to be built.

Owners need to ensure that their builder knows whether or not a LDP applies and that the builder submits plans which comply with the relevant LDP.

If the building proposed complies with the LDP entirely, then a planning application is not required. If it does not comply, then a planning application will need to be lodged in addition to the building licence.

More information about building permits

More information about planning applications

If you have an enquiry about LDP requirements, please contact our Planning team.

Planning Services Team

6 Paterson Street, Mundijong WA 6123 Australia

Phone Work: 9526 1111

Email: info@sjshire.wa.gov.au