Section 39 Sustainable developmentI1 I2

England and Wales

(1)

This section applies to any person who or body which exercises any function—

F1(a)

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

(b)

under Part 2 F2of this Act in relation to F3a joint spatial development strategy, local plan, minerals and waste plan or supplementary plan;

F4(ba)

under section 38A to 38C in relation to a neighbourhood development plan.

F5(c)

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

(2)

The person or body must exercise the function with the objective of contributing to the achievement of sustainable development.

F6(2A)

For the purposes of subsection (2) the person or body must (in particular) have regard to the desirability of achieving good design.

(3)

For the purposes of subsection (2) the person or body must have regard to national policies and advice contained in guidance issued by—

(a)

the Secretary of State for the purposes of F7 subsection (1)(b);

F8(b)

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Annotations

F1: S. 39(1)(a) repealed (1.4.2010) by Local Democracy, Economic Development and Construction Act 2009 (c. 20), s. 148(5)(5), Sch. 5 para. 18(2)(a), 7 Pt. 4; S.I. 2009/3318, art. 4(gg)(ii)
F2: Words in s. 39(1)(b) inserted (1.4.2010) by Local Democracy, Economic Development and Construction Act 2009 (c. 20), s. 148(5), Sch. 5 para. 18(2)(b); S.I. 2009/3318, art. 4(gg)
F3: Words in s. 39(1)(b) substituted (25.3.2026 except for the words “joint spatial development strategy”) by Levelling Up and Regeneration Act 2023 (c. 55), s. 255(3)(b), Sch. 8 para. 21(a) (with s. 247); S.I. 2026/169, reg. 3(f)(vi) (with Sch. 1)
F4: S. 39(1)(ba) inserted (25.3.2026) by Levelling-up and Regeneration Act 2023 (c. 55), s. 255(3)(b), Sch. 8 para. 21(b) (with s. 247); S.I. 2026/169, reg. 3(f)(vi) (with Sch. 1)
F5: S. 39(1)(c) omitted (1.4.2016) by virtue of Planning (Wales) Act 2015 (anaw 4), ss. 2(6)(a), 58(4)(a); S.I. 2015/1987, art. 5(a) (with art. 6)
F6: S. 39(2A) inserted (6.4.2009 for E.) by Planning Act 2008 (c. 29), ss. 183, 241(3), (4) (with s. 226); S.I. 2009/400, art. 5(a)
F7: Words in s. 39(3) substituted (1.4.2010) by Local Democracy, Economic Development and Construction Act 2009 (c. 20), s. 148(5), Sch. 5 para. 18(3); S.I. 2009/3318, art. 4(gg)
F8: S. 39(3)(b) omitted (1.4.2016) by virtue of Planning (Wales) Act 2015 (anaw 4), ss. 2(6)(b), 58(4)(a); S.I. 2015/1987, art. 5(a) (with art. 6)