To be ‘sound’, a Development Plan Document should be justified, effective and consistent with national policy.

1. Justified
“Justified” means that the document must be:
- founded on a robust and credible evidence base
- the most appropriate strategy when considered against the reasonable alternatives

2. Effective
“Effective” means that the document must be:
- deliverable
- flexible
- able to be monitored

3. Consistent with national policy