Local Plan Reforms 2026

The Minister of State for Housing and Planning, Matthew Pennycook, has announced changes to the local plan process, including the abolition of the ‘Duty to Co-operate’. The duty requires local planning authorities that are preparing local plans to actively engage and consult with neighbouring councils over cross-boundary issues such as housing provision. The lack of engagement with adjoining councils was one of the reasons why the BCP Council Local Plan was withdrawn following its initial Examination in Public earlier this year.

Other changes include a clear 30-month end to end process to ensure the timely adoption of local plans, and the introduction of a ‘Gateway’ system. There will be three Gateway checkpoints, including working with the Planning Inspectorate, to ensure that a local plan meets all of the prescribed requirements.

There will be a transition from the existing to the new system, both of which will run in parallel until December 2026.

Currently, fewer than a third of local authorities have an up-to-date local plan.

For further details contact Peter Atfield B.TP MRTPI MTCPA FRGS FRSA on 01202 550100 or e-mail: [email protected]