Planning Policy

Supplementary Planning Documents and Guidance

Supplementary Planning Documents (SPDs)

SPDs provide guidance on the implementation and delivery of planning policy set out in Worcester's Local Plan policies.

Shrub Hill Quarter SPD

On 22 July 2024, the Council’s Place and Economic Development Committee approved a Supplementary Planning Document (SPD) following public consultation undertaken earlier in the year.

The City Centre Master Plan and the South Worcestershire Development Plan have designated Shrub Hill as an Opportunity Zone for new mixed employment and residential development. Worcester City Council and Worcestershire County Council - which is now the owner of the Shrub Hill Industrial Estate - are working collaboratively to plan for the regeneration of this area, building on its heritage, natural assets and rail connections. The two councils will be working with key landowners and occupiers and stakeholders to shape its future.

The SPD sets out a framework for future planning and investment decisions in more detail than the South Worcestershire Development Plan (SWDP) and suggests how development, when it comes forward, should take place in several Character Areas within the Quarter.

The SPD was formally adopted by a meeting of full Council on 17 September 2024 and now forms part of the Local Development Framework which sets the context for planning decisions in the city.

The SPD has now been updated to account for the changes in both national and local policy following the adoption of the South Worcestershire Development Plan Review (SWDPR) and updates to reflect the progress on-site to date since the adoption of the original SPD in 2024.

Developer Contributions SPD

This Developer Contributions SPD is an update to the SPD adopted in 2018 and sets out the SWC’s proposed approach to seeking developer contributions as required by SWDPR10: Infrastructure, generated by development proposals.

This document is intended to help all interested parties including developers, planning agents and the general public by providing clarification about when planning obligations will be expected and how developer contributions will be used.

It is a joint document for all three of the South Worcestershire Councils (SWCs), namely Malvern Hills District, Worcester City and Wychavon District.

Extensions and Alterations to Dwellings and Houses in Multiple Occupation SPD

This SPD provides guidance on the design of residential extensions and alterations, in line with SWDPR 05: Design and Sustainable Construction and SWDPR 28: Design of the South Worcestershire Development Plan Review (SWDPR 2026).

It emphasizes high-quality, context-sensitive development that respects local character, integrates with existing buildings, safeguards heritage and amenity, and supports sustainable design principles.

Renewable and Low Carbon Energy SPD

The Revised Developer Contributions SPD sets out guidance relating to the collection of developer contributions, to be used when determining planning applications.

Air Quality SPD

The Air Quality SPD provides supplementary guidance on the policies contained within the 2016 SWDP, principally SWDP 31: Pollution and Land Instability.

It will ensure that air quality is taken into account during the planning process by aligning the consideration of air quality impacts and mitigation associated with development schemes.

Developers and applicants should use the guidance in this SPD to ensure that their proposals do not have a detrimental impact on air quality. It is a joint document for all three of the South Worcestershire Councils (SWCs), namely Malvern Hills District, Worcester City and Wychavon District.

The Air Quality Supplementary Planning Document was adopted on 8 July 2025. The SPD has now been updated to account for the changes in both national and local policy following the adoption of the South Worcestershire Development Plan Review (SWDPR) since the original adoption of the SPD in 2025.

Affordable Housing SPD

This SPD is on Affordable Housing which explains the details of policies set out in the South Worcestershire Development Plan Review 2021-2041 (SWDPR) that relate to the provision of affordable housing.

It is a joint document for all three of the South Worcestershire Councils (SWCs), namely Malvern Hills District, Worcester City and Wychavon District. It is a guide to the interpretation and implementation of these local policies and associated procedures, including each Councils’ Tenancy Strategies.

It is aimed at developers, landowners, registered providers, applicants for planning permission and others who are seeking to provide, or benefit from new affordable housing, and who therefore wish to interpret the policies in more detail.

The SPD was formally adopted by an Extra Ordinary Council Meeting on 29 June 2026 and forms part of the Local Development Framework which sets the context for planning decisions in the city.

Shopfronts and Signage Design Guide SPD

The Shopfronts and Signage Design Guide has been produced to help anyone wishing to make changes to a shopfront in Worcester, understand some important design principles, help explain what the city council considers to be key design and place making objectives and how the various stages of design and regulatory approval should be approached.

Information is included about what planning permission or other consents might be required, the component parts of historic shopfronts, and the key elements of good shopfront design.

The SPD has been updated to account for the changes in both national and local policy following the adoption of the South Worcestershire Development Plan Review (SWDPR).

Water Management and Flooding SPD

The Renewable and Low Carbon Energy SPD sets out guidance on how the requirements in Policy SWDP 27 relating to Renewable and Low Carbon Energy should be applied. It includes guidance on what must be provided in Energy Assessments; issues that need to be considered when examining the potential for decentralized energy and heat networks in large scale development proposals to comply with SWDP 27B; the various renewable and low carbon energy technologies and the planning issues associated with each technology that will need to be addressed.

Design Quality SPD

The Design Guide SPD covers the local planning authorities of Malvern Hills District Council, Worcester City Council and Wychavon District Council (known collectively as the South Worcestershire Councils (SWC).

The SPD provides additional guidance on how the SWDP design related policies should be interpreted, for example through the design and layout of new development and public spaces across south Worcestershire, and is consistent with the planning policies in the SWDP, in particular SWDP21 Design. It is aimed at built design professionals, e.g. architects, urban designers and developers but it will also be of relevance to anyone else with an interest in the delivery of quality residential design and public spaces.

The Design Guide SPD was formally adopted on Monday 5 March 2018.

Planning for Health in South Worcestershire SPD

The south Worcestershire councils adopted the Planning for Health SPD on 21 September 2017. It provides more detailed guidance on the implementation of policies within the South Worcestershire Development Plan and sets out the requirements for Health Impact Assessment.

SEA Screening Statement

Guidance

Cycling Storage Advice Note

This Advice Note provides helpful guidance to applicants for planning permission, their agents and planning officers, on the type of provision of cycle storage that is considered acceptable in different circumstances, with the aim of ensuring cycle storage is secure, convenient, inclusive (no matter the type of cycle transport used) and suitable for use throughout the year. The ability to secure the bike at home, at the workplace and when visiting other places is very important. Bikes can be very expensive, therefore owners are likely to want secure storage with natural over-sight for surveillance; storage that will keep the bike dry against the adverse weather conditions; as well as storage that is accessible by all users and is well connected to the road network as well as the dwelling/building they are visiting.

pdf Cycle Storage Advice Note (1.38 MB)

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