This manual is intended to provide guidance and advice to local authorities on preparing and reviewing local development plans (LDPs) to achieve sustainable development objectives. The manual covers all the key stages of the LDP preparation process, including developing a delivery agreement and community involvement scheme, identifying candidate sites, developing an evidence base, developing a preferred strategy, submitting the LDP and submitting the LDP. The manual also provides guidance on environmental impact assessments (EIAs), sustainability appraisals (SAs) and habitats regulation assessments (HRAs).