This document sets out planning policies applicable throughout England, focusing on procedural aspects and the process of preparing local development documents. These should be taken into account by local planning authorities in the preparation of local development frameworks, and mineral and waste development frameworks. This document complements other national planning policies and should be read in conjunction with them. Also known as PPS 12, this document replaces Planning policy guidance note 12 on development plans (PPG 12, 1999 edition, ISBN 1851123490), except that PPG 12 will remain in operation for development plans still being prepared under the 1999 Development Plan Regulations.