National and local planning policies aim to guide future development. A broad range of policies must take be taken into account when preparing a planning application, development brief, or masterplan. These policies cover a wide range of topics including economy, tourism, recreation, shopping, health and safety, housing, waste, transport, built and historic environment and the natural environment.
Historic England have produced a range of supplementary guidance on specific areas of historic environment planning policy, including Historic Environment Advice Notes (HEANs) and Good Practice Advice Notes (GPAs).
The government also offers Planning Practice Guidance in relation to the National Planning Policy Framework, and certain types of development such as advertisements, development in the Green Belt or historic environment, and light pollution.