A brief explanation of development plans is provided within the section on the British Planning System.

The Government is keen to get individuals and groups involved with their regional and local development plans. This is your opportunity to have a say on development issues that affect you.

Local and regional planning bodies need to prepare a statement of community involvement. The statements will set out how and when the public can be involved in preparing the plans.

Key advice for access groups: Your group should take every opportunity during the community involvement stages of the development plans to voice your opinions on the inclusion (or exclusion) of access policies in the plan.

Planning guidance

Many local planning authorities produce Supplementary Planning Guidance (SPG) to offer more detailed guidance on good practice, and to suggest ways in which the policies in their development plans should be implemented.

For example, the Mayor of London published some guidance in 2004 entitled Accessible London: Achieving an Inclusive Environment, which can be downloaded from the Mayor of London's website. The document offers advice on how to promote and achieve an inclusive environment in London, but many of the issues will be relevant in other geographical areas.

Key advice for access groups: Find out whether your local planning authority has produced an SPG document on access, and if so, obtain a copy for your group. If they have not, find out whether they have plans to produce one, and how your group could get involved in advising on what it should include.