Development control,
planning control, or (in Scotland)
development management is the element of the
United Kingdom's system of
town and country planning through which
local government regulates
land use and new building. It relies on a "plan-led system" whereby
development plans are formed and the public is consulted. Subsequent development requires
planning permission, which is granted or refused with reference to the development plan as a material consideration. The term "development control" is often abbreviated to
DC.