The Local Plan - timeline
Our current Local Plan was adopted in July 2015. At that time, the Local Plan was approved, but the Government Inspector said that we had to review it again within five years to make sure that sufficient housing was planned to meet the needs of the area. Since then, we have gone through various stages of consultation with you as part of the Local Plan process as outlined below, along with the steps we still need to take.
- Stage One - Issues and Options
- Stage Two - Preferred Approach
- Stage Three - Regulation 19 and Submission
- Stage Four - Examination
- Stage Five - Adoption
Stage One - Issues and Options
| Description | Stage Progress | Consultation Page |
|---|---|---|
Stage One of the process was carried out in June 2017 with an Issues and Options consultation, in which we invited you to complete a questionnaire regarding the overall development strategy and possible development locations. These responses were used to help draft our Preferred Approach Plan. | Completed | Issues and Options - consultation June 2017 |
Stage Two - Preferred Approach
| Description | Stage Progress | Consultation Page |
|---|---|---|
For The Local Plan Review, the preferred approach is the second stage of the process. It sets out the proposed development strategy and policies for the area to meet future needs. We invited you to make comments on our preferred approach between December 2018 and February 2019. These responses, along with the further evidence we have gathered, have been used to help draft a revised version of the plan. | Completed | Preferred approach - consultation December 2018 |
Stage Three - Regulation 19 and Submission
| Description | Stage Progress | Consultation Page |
|---|---|---|
We have considered your feedback from Stage two and have made changes to the plan. Between 3 February and 17 March 2023, we invited you to comment on three specific questions or tests - legal compliant, soundness and duty to cooperate. Your comments will be submitted alongside the plan to the government for independent examination. | Currently ongoing - submission anticipated early 2024 | View the emerging Local Plan |
Stage Four - Examination
| Description | Stage Progress |
|---|---|
A planning inspector will be chosen by the government to examine our plan and they will then report on their findings. There may be further changes to the plan required as a result of the hearing sessions held with the inspector. These changes are called 'main modifications' and there will be a six week consultation on them before the examination ends. | Future |
Stage Five - Adoption
| Description | Stage Progress |
|---|---|
We will adopt the Local Plan once the planning inspector is happy with it. | Future |