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Joint Local Plan – Further background

Current Local Plans

You can find both councils’ current Local Plans, which the new Joint Local Plan will replace once adopted, using the links below:

Timetable

Timeline of the process to create our Joint Local Plan. Starts with 2021 and the Evidence Gathering stage – we asked people to let us know about land and buildings that are available for change. 2022 - Issues stage – we asked for your help in understanding the issues we need to tackle, and finalising the vision and objectives. Early 2024 – Preferred Options stage – we asked for your thoughts on the options we’ve identified to tackle the issues along with potential locations for future developments. Point indicates that ‘We are here’ between Preferred Options stage and the next stage which is in Autumn 2024 called Our draft Local Plan - we’ll ask for your thoughts on our proposed plan. Then the timeline shows Late 2024 - Plan submitted to the Secretary of State. Spring 2025 - Examination - An independent planning inspector examines the plan, evidence and the comments made, to test if it is ‘sound’ and finally, Late 2025 - Adoption - The plan is adopted and used to inform decisions on planning applications

If you’d like to know more about the timetable for preparing the Joint Local Plan and when we will be consulting you, please take a look at our Local Development Scheme, August 2024. It sets out the timetable for producing new planning policy documents, including key production and public consultation stages.

You can also read the Joint Local Plan governance arrangements, May 2022, which sets out the operational and decision-making structures for the Joint Local Plan 2041.