What is the Core Strategy?
The 
Core Strategy is the key document in the Local Development Framework, which is the planning policy framework for the Borough. It describes what we want Bolton to look like in the future up to 2026, and the planning policies that will be used to make it a reality.
The council adopted the Core Strategy on 2nd March 2011. It forms part of the development plan for Bolton and replaces some elements of the 2005 Unitary Development Plan (UDP). The adopted Core Strategy is available for downloading on the right hand side of this page. Paper copies can be purchased for £25. The saved policies of the UDP are on the UDP webpage, also available on the links on the right hand side of this page.
The council prepared the Core Strategy in consultation with a wide range of local residents, businesses and other organisations. A Planning Inspector appointed by the Government carried out an examination of the Core Strategy in 2010. In his January 2011 report, he concluded that the Core Strategy was sound, and this meant that the council was able to adopt it in March 2011. The web page for the Core Strategy examination is still available, and has documents and information that relate to the examination process.