Latest News
On 25 February 2026, the Council adopted a new Local Plan timetable, setting out the key stages and milestones in preparing a new Local Plan for the Runnymede area. Visit the following webpage to find out more:
Latest news on the emerging Local Plan evidence base can be found in the table below:
18 June 2026
| Evidence base document | Status |
|---|---|
| Annual Monitoring Report 2024/25 | The Annual Monitoring Report for the year 2024/25 has now been published. Runnymede 2030 Local Plan Authority Monitoring Report |
|
Strategic partners for cross boundary cooperation document |
Consultation has taken place on the Strategic Cross Boundary Partners Scoping Statement. The responses received to this consultation have been reviewed, and the Statement will be amended, where necessary, to take into account these responses. The Statement will be published on the Council’s website in the near future. |
| The Runnymede Open Spaces Study update |
Completed. Published June 2025 Review the 2030 Local Plan. |
| The Runnymede Playing Pitch and Outdoor Sports Facilities Strategy | This has now been published and can be found on the Councils website. 2030 Local Plan Review Evidence Base documents |
| The Green Belt Review parts 1 and 2 and Grey Belt Assessment |
The Green Belt Review parts 1 and 2 and Grey Belt Assessment Government funding secured for a joint Green Belt/Grey Belt Assessment with Spelthorne & Elmbridge Borough Councils. Assessment has commenced and will report back as follows: Green Belt Review Scoping Report - Will set out the scope of what needs to change in our two existing Green Belt Reviews (GBR). Stage 1 Green Belt Review - Will set out a methodology for the review and appraise larger areas of Green Belt against Green Belt purposes and cover all Green Belt across the three Boroughs. Methodology is currently being prepared and Stage 1 review due to report in Summer 2026. Stage 2 Green Belt Review - Will appraise smaller sub-areas of Green Belt against Green Belt purposes and identify potential Grey Belt. Stage 2 is expected to report late Autumn 2026. |
| 2025 Strategic Land Availability Assessment |
Completed and published, including the Urban Area Capacity Study. A second version will be produced taking account of Green Belt Review and Grey Belt Assessment outcomes in due course (see timescales above for the Green Belt review work). An updated 5 year housing land supply published in September 2025. The SLAA and 5 year supply statement can be viewed at: 2030 Local Plan Review Evidence Base documents with the latter showing that the Council currently has 2.89 years of land supply as of April 2025. |
| Gypsy and Traveller Accommodation Assessment update | Ongoing. Final report expected to be published in July 2026. |
| Housing and Economic Development Needs Assessment (incorporating Employment Land Review) |
This has now been published and can be found on the Councils website. |
| Level 1 Strategic Flood Risk Assessment refresh | Further work is currently being undertaken on the functional floodplain. This will delay the publication of the level 1 SFAR most likely until Autumn 2026. |
| Runnymede Design Code | An authority-wide Design Code will not be developed. The Council will reassess the design tools it needs once evidence underpinning the new Local Plan helps the Council understand the revised spatial strategy. |
| Local Plan Engagement Strategy |
Local Plan Engagement Strategy consultation has concluded. The results of this consultation are currently being analysed. A report will be taken to Planning Committee in July 2026 outlining any proposed changes to the strategy. |
| Runnymede Retail and Town Centres Study update |
Addendum completed. Published July 2025. Review the 2030 Local Plan Review Evidence Documents |
| Update to the Council’s Stage 2 Sustainable Places work | Planned. Work will not commence until the Council has completed its site list for testing. This will not happen until the Grey Belt Review/Assessment is complete. Publication date is to be confirmed. |
| Infrastructure baseline assessment refresh | As part of gathering baseline information to inform the new Local Plan, the Council intends to create a ‘Runnymede Place Portrait’, which will include baseline information about the Borough’s infrastructure capacity. The Council will also refresh the infrastructure baseline assessment as part of the Infrastructure Delivery Plan update. Once publication dates for both are clearer, further information will be published on this page. |
| Sustainability Appraisal [SA] incorporating Strategic Environmental Assessment | Underway. A SA scoping update report is being prepared. This will be taken before the Planning Committee in July 2026. Further iterations of the SA including the appraisal of policy options and policy wording will take place as the Local Plan progresses. |
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