Planning policy and the Local Plan

What is the Duty to Cooperate

The duty to cooperate is a legal duty on Local Planning Authorities to engage constructively, actively and on an ongoing basis to maximise the effectiveness of the local plan-making process in the context of strategic planning matters with a range of public bodies, as relevant to the cross boundary issues that need to be addressed in their Local Plans The process is iterative and ongoing. 

These public bodies include, neighbouring authorities and local planning authorities, Local Enterprise Partnerships, Local Nature Partnerships, national agencies, infrastructure providers and elected mayors. We are also required to produce one or more statements of common ground (see below for latest list), documenting the cross-boundary strategic matters being addressed, and progress in cooperating to address these. Statements of common ground should be made publicly available throughout the plan-making process to provide transparency.

Note: The London Legacy Development Corporation (LLDC) Mayoral Development Corporation returned planning powers back to the London Boroughs of Newham, Tower Hamlets, Waltham Forest and Hackney on the 1st of December 2024. Following this, the LLDC is no longer a duty to cooperate partner, but remains a planning stakeholder through its ongoing role as a mayoral development corporation under the GLA. 

The latest report demonstrating how Newham meets its duty to cooperate was published in support of the Local Plan Review Regulation 19 consultation, in the Duty to Cooperate Statement (2024). An update has been published though the Duty to Cooperate Statement Addendum (2025). Future updates will also be published as part of Authority Monitoring Reports.

• Duty to Cooperate Statement (2024) (PDF)
• Duty to Cooperate Statement Addendum (2025) (PDF)

Current signed Statements of Common Ground 

London Borough of Newham has pursued individual statements of common ground with its neighbouring authorities, prescribed national bodies and other relevant duty to cooperate (DtC) partners. These statements will be reviewed from time to time: 

• Whenever agreement is reached on any outstanding matters. Or 
• At key milestones in progress towards addressing strategic matters. Or 
• At each subsequent key stage of the plan making process, as it progresses towards adoption. 

Where key strategic issues overlap between different signed statements of common ground organisations that Newham have signed statements of common ground with (e.g. the delivery of housing targets), Newham has prepared a summary highlighting how the position of each stakeholder has influenced outcomes on the common key strategic matter. This is currently published in the Duty to Cooperate Statement Addendum (2025), chapter 3.