What is a Local Plan and what’s changed since the existing one was adopted?
A Local Plan is a document prepared by a local planning authority, in consultation with the community, which guides development and land use changes across the whole or part of an authority area over a period of no less than 10 years.
It forms part of a wider Development Plan for the area, and identifies how much housing and commercial development should be built over the plan period, and indicates where and when this should happen. It also identifies areas which should be protected and enhanced. Its policies are a material consideration for decision-makers when determining planning applications. The following animation describes this in more detail:
Since this animation was created, new national planning policy has confirmed Local Plans can span a 10-year period rather than a 15-year period. Subsequent sections of this consultation set out the Council’s preference for a 10-year plan period.
We need to prepare a new Local Plan in light of several changes that have happened since the adoption of the existing 2030 Local Plan including significant reforms to plan-making legislation and to national planning policy (including the introduction of ‘National Decision-Making Policies’ and ‘Strategic Development Strategies’); and to address new development needs and trends. These, and many other terms, are defined in the glossary to this consultation.
Its preparation will be informed by a wide-ranging evidence base helping us to understand the current and future characteristics and needs of the area. A new Local Plan will also need to have regard to newly emerging plans and strategies prepared by other organisations, including Surrey County Council (West Surrey Council from 1 April 2027), government agencies and infrastructure providers.
You can read a more detailed explanation of what a Local Plan is, and what’s changed since the adoption of the 2030 Local Plan, by downloading the following document:
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