About the Local Plan Update

The Council agreed on 16 May 2019 to launch the preparation of an updated Local Plan.

The purpose of the Local Plan is to provide a planning policy framework to direct growth and change to appropriate locations and therefore achieve sustainable development to create places people want to live, work and locate their businesses. The plan covers all types of development, from housing to employment, schools, roads, parks, shops and community facilities, The Local Plan also includes a range of planning policies to inform the location, scale and appearance of developments. When adopted it will form part of the Development Plan for the area.

Why does the Local Plan need to be updated?

The current Local Plan was adopted in May 2016 and covers the period 2011 to 2029. National guidance now promotes the concept of an on-going cycle of plan making and review, which is reinforced by a legal requirement to review Plans every five years. Following an initial review, which considered recent changes to national planning policy, including the introduction of a new approach for assessing local housing need, the council has taken the decision to update the current adopted Local Plan.

How long will it take to update the Local Plan?

We are required to publish a Local Development Scheme (LDS) to set out which planning documents will be produced and when. View the latest LDS published in October 2022.

Progress on the Local Plan Update

The council undertook its first non-statutory Issues and Options stage in late 2020. Find out more information on the consultation and the responses received.

The council has also commissioned a number of evidence base documents to support the Local Plan Update. These are on a number of matters including housing and water. View the published documents online.

How to get involved

We will be undertaking a number of formal consultations throughout the Local Plan Update. More details of the consultations will be available nearer the time, via our newsletters, online and social media.

Want to keep up to date?

We will continue to keep you informed if you have signed up for updates on the progress, including any changes to the timetable of the Local Plan Update.

Sign up for the local plan newsletter for regular updates, alternatively you can contact the team via local.plan@basingstoke.gov.uk.

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Contact details


Local Plan Team

Contact us

  • Contact us online
  • 01256 844844
  • Civic Offices
    London Road
    Basingstoke
    RG21 4AH
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