2. National Land Planning Framework in France

1. 2.1. National Regulations
   2.2. Regional Plans

2.2. Regional Plans in France - Schémas de cohérence territoriale (SCOT)

At a regional and county level the most significant planning regime is that of the Schémas de cohérence territoriale (SCOT).

The purpose of the SCOT is to delineate the major spatial development priorities for the area under examination over the medium to long-term.

They may be best approximated to a county level 'Structure Plan', familiar to those from the UK.

The whole process is carried out on a collaborative basis involving the various level of government in the region or the département (county).

The plan is subject to a public enquiry but, once approved, is valid for a period of ten years.

The level of preparation of SCOTs is very variable across the country as they were only introduced through a law in 2000. If a SCOT is not in place in your area then the applicable regional/county plan will be the Schéma directeur d'aménagement et d'urbanisme (SDAU), the predecessor of the SCOT.

If you want to find out more you should contact your préfecture.

Although not stricly speaking part of the land planning system, there are also a range of other plans focussing mainly on investment and regeneration.

Perhaps the most interesting of these plans are the Schéma Régional de Développement Economique (SRDE). They also include contrats d’agglomération, which focus predominantly on city centres and larger towns, and contrat de pays, which are widespread across the country.

You may also come across Zones de revitalisation rurale (ZRR) and Zones de redynamisation urbaine (ZRU), both of which are development areas offering a range of tax breaks and grants.

Once again, if you want to know if there is such a plan in your region, and the details of that plan, you should contact your préfecture or Conseil Général.

Alternatively go to the website of Délégation Interministérielle à l'Aménagement et à la Compétitivité des Territoires, where you will find information on these and other plans.