Local Plan - your questions answered

Every local authority needs a Local Plan, which is a planning document that sets out how the district should be developed over the next 15 years, in line with the requirements of national policy and legislation. 

It sets out planning policies and proposals that will help guide future development and growth that is sustainable and identifies land for future housing, employment and infrastructure needs, whilst best protecting and enhancing the natural and built environment.

The Local Plan must set the overall requirement for housing and other development over the plan period and should identify enough land for development to meet this requirement. Once adopted, following independent examination, the Local Plan will be used to make decisions on individual planning applications for the next 15 years.

Why do we need it? 

The Government requires all local planning authorities to provide a long term Local Plan to meet the area's needs for the future.

If we do not have a Local Plan, development will still take place. However we will not be able to use our own planning policies to help decide where development should go, and will be less able to require the schools, open space and road upgrades that are needed to support development.

Why are we reviewing it? 

The government requires all councils to review a Local Plan every five years. Our Local Plan was adopted in 2021, and therefore 2026 is the latest possible date we can review the current plan.

The current Local Plan covers the period 2013-2033. It is proposed that the review will take the plan period up to 2041, which will mean that further growth will need to be identified as more people are moving into the area, people are living longer and to meet central government housing targets.

If we fail to update our Local Plan, we run the risk of decision-making being taken away locally and having less say over where development goes. In a worst-case scenario, the government could even write the Local Plan for us. This means that they would make the decision about where new housing would go instead of the community and the council. We would also have less say over new open space, good design, high sustainability standards and having a good mix of housing that includes family homes and accommodation for the elderly.

It is therefore important that we work to review our plan as quickly as possible and the plan continues to meet the changing needs of our current and future residents, addressing emerging challenges and help us make the most of new opportunities.

What will happen to the current Local Plan during this review process? 

The current Local Plan remains the adopted policy position until the update is complete and a revised plan is adopted by the council.

What is the role of elected councillors during the Local Plan review?

Local councillors are responsible for making decisions on the updated Local Plan at key stages. This is via councillors who are part of our Local Plan Sub-Committee - more details available on our news page. 

Beyond this, councillors are engaged and briefed throughout the process so they can play a key role in the process and in communicating with their communities.