Local Plans

Bedfordshire

• Central Bedfordshire: Central Bedfordshire Council adopted its new Local Plan on 22 July 2021. Click here to view the Local Plan.

Buckinghamshire

• Aylesbury Vale: The Vale of Aylesbury Local Plan 2013-2033 was adopted by Buckinghamshire Council as a Development Plan Document in September 2021. Click here to view the current Local Plan
• Buckinghamshire Unitary Authority: Buckinghamshire Council is beginning work on the new Local Plan for Buckinghamshire (LP4B). The LP4B will allocate sites for development in the period up to 2040 to meet the housing and economic development needs of Buckinghamshire.
• Chiltern and Bucks: The new Buckinghamshire Unitary Council resolved to withdraw the Local Plan and instead await the new Unitary Local Plan.
• Milton Keynes: Milton Keynes City Council is in the early stages of preparing the New City Plan to replace Plan:MK. It is expected to take two years, with the final vote planned for 2025. A consultation will be held in early 2024. Click here to view the current Local Plan
• Wycombe: The Wycombe District Local Plan was adopted in August 2019. Click here to view the current Local Plan.

 

Cambridgeshire

• East Cambridgeshire: Consultation on the proposed submission version of the Single-Issue Review of the Local Plan was carried out between 3 May and 13 June 2022. The presiding inspector, Philip Lewis, has set a second consultation hearing from 21 July to 31 August.
• South Cambridgeshire: In a combined effort with the City of Cambridge, South Cambridgeshire are currently at the preliminary stages of their Local Plan. They recently published their Development Strategy update on January 4 and held a Webinar on January 18. The hope is that the new Plan will be adopted in either 2024 or 2025.
• City of Cambridge: The City of Cambridge are working alongside the South Cambridge Council to build a “Greater Cambridge” Local Plan. After their Development Strategy plan was published on January 4, they are held a webinar on January 18 to inform residents of future action. The Local plan is still in the developing stages and it is hoped that the plan will be adopted either in 2024 or 2025.

 

Essex

• Basildon: Basildon Council withdrew its local plan in March 2022. In a November meeting, the Council adopted the Local Development Scheme (LDS) 2022-27 as the timetable for preparing the Local Plan. A Regulation 18  Issues and Options Consultation was held from June – September 2023. The Council will report their findings to Cabinet in early 2024.
• Braintree: The Local Plan 2033 is in two sections. Section 1 was adopted in February 2021. Section 2 was adopted on 25 July 2022. The Local Plan covers the period to 2033 and supersedes the Local Plan Review (2005) and the Core Strategy (2011). Click here to view the current Local Plan
• Brentwood: At the Extraordinary Council meeting on 23 March 2022, the Council voted to adopt the Local Plan. The Inspectors had previously stated that the Council needs to provide a clear 28 month timescale for submission of a review from adoption, due to concerns relating to achieving housing targets. Click here to view the current Local Plan 
• Castle Point: After deciding not to adopt its Local Plan in 2022, Castle Point has now restarted its consultation period for a new Local Plan. The plan is expected to be adopted in early 2026.
• Chelmsford: The Chelmsford Local Plan 2013-2036 was adopted in May 2020. The Council is starting a review of the adopted Local Plan. The Issues and Options Consultation has now closed and is being reviewed. Click here to view the current Local Plan
• Colchester: The Local Plan is in two sections: Section 1 provides a shared strategic policy context and addresses cross boundary matters for North Essex together with Braintree and Tendring Councils. This was adopted by Colchester Borough Council on 2 February 2021. Section 2 of the Colchester Local Plan 2017-2033 provides the policy framework, site allocations and development management policies for the Borough up to 2033. This was adopted by Colchester Borough Council on 4 July 2022. Click here to view part one of the Local plan and here for part two
• Epping Forest: Epping Forest Council adopted its Local Plan on 6 March 2023. Click here to view the current Local Plan.
• Harlow: Harlow Council adopted its Local Plan in December 2020. It will start its limited review, as required by the Inspector, later in 2023. Click here to view the current Local Plan.
• Maldon: Maldon Council adopted its Local Plan in 2017. In 2022, it called for public engagement in a review of its Local Development Plan. The Council is currently reviewing the public responses. Click here to view the current Local Plan.
• Rochford: Rochford District Council is in the process of preparing a new Local Plan which will set the strategy for the district until 2040. The new Local Plan will replace a number of the adopted policy documents which form the Local Development Plan for the district, including the Core Strategy. The Local Development Scheme specified plans to consult on preferred options by the end of 2022, but these have been delayed until late 2023.
• Southend-on-Sea: The Council refined its options for a new Local Plan throughout 2021. Plans to consult on these options (Regulation 18) have not been updated or taken place in the period outlined.
• South Essex Joint Strategic Plan: The Plan is a joint effort by the councils of Basildon, Brentwood, Castle Point, Rochford and Southend on Sea, working in conjunction with Essex County Council. Issue Papers on a range of topics such as housing, employment and environment are currently being prepared. Click here to view the Joint Strategic Plan.
• Tendring: Section 2 of the Tendring District Local Plan 2013-2033 and Beyond was formally adopted on 25th January 2022. This includes the new garden community on the Colchester border. Click here to view the first part of the Local Plan and here for the second part.
• Thurrock: Thurrock Council hosted online public consultations in February and March 2022. Due to the Council’s change in leadership following the May 2023 elections, there has been a delay in the Plan’s progress. An updated Local Development Scheme was published in September 2023. Click here to view the updated LDS.
• Uttlesford: Uttlesford District Council is currently working on gathering evidence for its draft Local Plan. A timetable has been agreed upon, and a Regulation 18 Issues and Options Consultation is expected to start the week of 30 October 2023. The Local Plan is intended to be formally adopted in late 2025.

 

Greater London

• Barking & Dagenham: Barking and Dagenham Council is preparing a new Local Plan. In March 2022, they published a Local Development Scheme outlining a timetable and set of actions needed. The Local Plan Examination Main Hearings are due to begin 31 October 2023. Click here to view the Local Development Scheme.
• Barnet: Barnet Council is currently reviewing and updating its Local Plan. This Plan is intended to replace the existing 2012 Local Plan. The Local Examination hearing sessions closed on 11 November 2022, and the Inspectors submitted their Post Hearings Letter to the Council in August 2023. The Council is now working on progressing Main Modifications to the Plan.
• Bexley: Bexley Council adopted its new Local Plan on 26 April 2023. It provides a framework that runs until 2038. Click here to view the Local Plan.
• Enfield: Enfield Council is currently preparing a new Local Plan. Regulation 18 consultations were held from June to September 2021, and the statement on the consultation was released in mid-2023. A Local Development Scheme was published in March 2023, which details that the Council intends to publish a proposed submission Plan in the winter of 2023. Click here to view the updated LDS.
• Havering: The Council adopted the Local Plan on 17 November 2021, which runs until 2031. Click here to view the current Local Plan
• London Plan: On 29 January 2021, the Secretary of State approved the London Plan to be officially published. This was published on 2 March 2021. The London Plan 2021 is now an official Development Plan document and has been adopted. Click here to view the current London Plan
• Redbridge: Redbridge Council formally adopted their Local Plan in March 2018. In September 2022, a review of the Plan was ordered by the Council. Click here to view the current Local Plan
• Waltham Forest: The Council is currently preparing for a new Local Plan (2020-2035) which will have two parts, part one being strategic policies and part two site allocation. The Plan has reached the consultation stage as of September 2023.

Hampshire

• Hart: The Local Plan was adopted on 30 April 2020. The Yateley, Darby Green and Frogmore Neighbourhood Plan submission version were accepted in July 2022. Click here to view the current Local Plan

 

Hertfordshire

• Broxbourne: Broxbourne Local Plan was adopted in June 2020. Click here to view the current Local Plan.
• Dacorum: Consultation for the South West Hertfordshire Joint Strategic Plan ran until November 2022. A report on the consultation will be provided in due course.
• East Hertfordshire: The East Herts District Local Plan was adopted in October 2018. Click here to view the current Local Plan.
• Hertsmere: Hertsmere Council is currently in the process of putting together a New Local Plan. Public engagement was carried out in 2021, and a full draft Plan is expected at sometime in 2023.
• North Hertfordshire: On the 8th of November 2022, North Hertfordshire Council adopted their reviewed Local Plan. Click here to view the current Local Plan
• St Albans: St Albans City & District Council is in the process of creating a New Local Plan. A Local Development Scheme was published in September 2022. Regulation 18 consultations ran from July – September 2023, with Regulation 19 pre-submission consultations scheduled for the second half of 2024. Adoption is expected in December 2025. Click here to view the Local Development Scheme.
• Stevenage: The Stevenage Borough adopted their Local Plan in May 2019. Click here to view the current Local Plan.
• Three Rivers: Three Rivers District Council is currently preparing a New Local Plan. Regulation 18 consultations were completed in August 2021, and were revised in early 2023.
• Watford: Watford Council adopted the new Local Plan in October 2022. Click here to view the current Local Plan.
• Welwyn Hatfield: Welwyn Hatfield Council is currently in the process of preparing a new Local Plan. On 25 September 2023, the Inspector delivered the final report, which found that following a number of Main Modifications, the Plan is capable of adoption.

Kent

• Ashford: Ashford Borough Council officially adopted their Local Plan 2030 in February 2019. Click here to view the current Local Plan
• Canterbury: Canterbury City Council adopted their current Local Plan in 2017. The Council is currently in the early process of creating a new Local Plan (2020-2045). Preliminary consultations closed on 16 January 2023. Click here to view the current Local Plan.
• Dartford: The Council submitted the Pre-Submission (Publication) Dartford Local Plan on 13 December 2021. A Main Modification consultation ran until 25 September 2023. Responses have been passed to the Inspector for his consideration.
• Dover: After submitting its Local Plan application in March 2023, the Council is currently responding to concerns raised by the Inspectorate. As set out in the Local Development Scheme, adoption is planned for 2024. Click here to view the Local Development Scheme.
• Gravesham: The 2014 Local Plan is overdue for review. A Regulation 18 Stage 2 consultation ran from October 2020 to December 2020. It was anticipated that the Local Plan would be adopted by December 2021. However, Gravesham Borough Council has pushed their Regulation 19 back, with the consultation now expected in late 2023.
• Maidstone: Maidstone Council is in the final stages of submitting its Local Plan. The consultation on Main Modifications for the new Local Plan is currently under way, and will run until 13 November 2023.
• Medway: Medway Council is continuing to review comments made at earlier consultations in order to ready the draft Local Plan for submission. Regulation 18 consultations are currently under way.
• Sevenoaks: Sevenoaks District Council is currently preparing a new Local Plan. Consultations took place between 16 November 2022 to 11 January 2023. Responses are now being reviewed and an update is expected in late 2023.
• Shepway: The Folkstone and Hythe Local Plan was adopted in September 2020. The Council also completed a review of their Core Strategy, which was adopted in March 2022. Click here to view the current Local Plan
• Swale: Swale Borough Council published an updated Local Development Scheme in July 2022, detailing a timescale for the new Local Plan. Following an October 2022 meeting of the Policy and Resources Committee, Members agreed to postpone the next stage of consultations for the new Local Plan. Background work on the new Local Plan continues, but no date for the recommencement of consultations has been announced.
• Thanet: At the meeting of the Council on 9 July 2020, Thanet District Council adopted the Thanet Local Plan (to 2031), with the Modifications recommended in the Inspectorate Report. The Council also adopted the Thanet Landscape Character Assessment as a Supplementary Planning Document (SPD). Click here to view the current Local Plan.
• Tonbridge and Melling: Tonbridge and Melling Borough Council carried out inital Regulation 18 consultations in late 2022. Secondary consultations are planned to take place in early 2024, with a view of the Local Plan being adopted in 2026.
• Tunbridge Wells: The Council submitted the new Local Plan for examination in November 2021, with a view to adopt in January 2023. However, the Council has been delayed, and the Plan is yet to be adopted.

Northamptonshire

• South Northamptonshire: On 22 July 2020, South Northamptonshire Council resolved to adopt the South Northamptonshire Local Plan (Part 2) 2011-2029 at its meeting of Full Council. Building on the West Northamptonshire Joint Core Strategy (WNJCS), which was adopted in December 2014, it was prepared to help further guide planning decisions in the area and forms part of the Development Plan for the District. Click here to view the current Local Plan.

 

 Oxfordshire

• Cherwell: Cherwell District Council is currently in the process of developing a new Local Plan. Regulation 18 consultations began on 22 September 2023 and will close on 3 November 2023.
• South Oxfordshire: The South Oxfordshire Local Plan 2035 was adopted at a meeting of Full Council on 10 December 2020. It now forms part of the Development Plan for the district and replaces the South Oxfordshire Local Plan 2011 and Core Strategy. Click here to view the current Local Plan.
• Vale of White Horse: Vale of White Horse District Council adopted Part 1 of the Local Plan 2015 in December 2016, and Part 2 in October 2019. Click here to view Part 1 of the Local Plan and here to view Part 2 of the Local Plan.

Surrey

• Elmbridge: Elmbridge Borough Council’s draft Local Plan was submitted to the Inspectorate in August 2023. Adoption is expected in autumn of 2024. Click here to view the Local Development Scheme.
• Epsom and Ewell: Following Regulation 18 consultations held in February and March 2023, the Local Plan process was paused by Epsom and Ewell Borough Council at an Extraordinary Council meeting on 22 March 2023. Work on the Local Plan was agreed to be resumed by the Licensing and Planning Policy Committee on 26 September 2023. There is a still an expectation of adoption by spring 2025.
• Mole Valley: Due to the recent announcement by the Government concerning local authority’s jurisdiction over housing numbers, Mole Valley Council has delayed its consultation on the Inspector’s Main Modifications until further clarity has been provided.
• Runnymede: Runnymede Borough Council adopted the 2030 Local Plan in July 2020. Click here to view the Local Plan.
• Spelthorne: On 25 November 2022, Spelthorne Council submitted its draft Local Plan to the Secretary of State for Levelling Up. A series of public hearings were held in May and June 2023, following which the Council voted to pause the process.
• Surrey Heath: Surrey Heath Borough Council plans to publish a pre-submission Local Plan between November 2023 and January 2024. Following the Inspector’s Report, scheduled for December 2024, adoption is expected in early 2025. Click here to view the Local Development Scheme.
• Tandridge: Tandridge District Council submitted their new Local Plan for examination in January 2019. As of August 2023, the examination is ongoing, following multiple reviews by the Inspector.
• Waverley: Waverley Borough Council adopted Part 1 of the new Local Plan ( Strategic Policies and Sites) in February 2018, and Part 2 (Site Allocations and Development Management Policies) in March 2023. Click here to view the current Local Plan.
• Woking: The Council adopted the Site Allocations Development Plan Document (DPD) on 14 October 2021. The DPD forms part of the Development Plan for the borough, and will be used to assess any planning applications that are submitted. The Site Allocations DPD supports the delivery of the Core Strategy and allocates land for housing. Click here to view the current Local Plan.