You can have a final say on the Local Plan from 23 July to 17 September 2026 as part of the ‘Regulation 19 Publication’.
The new Local Plan will guide what can be built and where between 2027 and 2042. It includes sites put forward by landowners and developers to meet the Government’s new housing target of 17,460 houses that must be built over the lifetime of the Local Plan.
Our survey and further supportng information, will be available on this webpage once the ‘Regulation 19 Publication’ begins.
As part of the ‘Regulation 19 Publication’, you cannot suggest new development options. Instead, your comments must focus on whether the new Local Plan is compliant with the relevant national planing legislation and if it is ‘sound’, in other words based on evidence, meets future need, is deliverable and promotes sustainable development.
View the Updated Local Plan and other related documents.
You can also view the proposed development sites using our interactive map (tick ‘All Suitable SHELAA Sites 2026) and the Evidence Base documents that support the Local Plan.
View the Local Plan Timetable.
About the New Local Plan
The Local Plan will guide how new developments are delivered between 2027 and 2042. It will include potential development sites, proposed by landowners, to meet the Government’s significantly increased local housing target of 17,460 new homes. That's 1,164 new homes every year, a 63% increase on the current housing target.
While the new Local Plan proposes to make the best use of sites within existing built-up areas and brownfield land, the Government’s amended planning laws require councils to use Green Belt land to meet its housing target.
Failing to meet the housing target could lead to the Local Plan being refused by Planning Inspectors. This would leave the District open to piecemeal development, which makes it harder for infrastructure providers to holistically consider the impact of new housing development on their services. The Government could also determine planning applications in the District instead of the Council.
The Local Plan includes sites, spread across a broad range of settlements in the District, to meet the Government’s housing target in full, including much-needed affordable homes. All the sites that are under consideration have been put forward by landowners and developers. We have assessed the sites to check their suitability, availability and deliverability.
As well as new homes, the Local Plan includes proposals to support the economy by protecting business space and high streets and the provision of new infrastructure such as schools, shops, health centres and improved local transport.
While some Green Belt land is being proposed to meet national housing targets, the Local Plan will continue to protect the overwhelming majority of the Green Belt and the District’s environment and unique and special character.
For further information, view our Local Plan Regulation 19 Questions and Answers.