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3 Local Plan Documents - Scope and Timetable
3.1 The table below describes the scope and content of the development plan documents that the Council will prepare and a timetable for production. The policies map will be revised where required to illustrate geographically the application of the policies. The Council is not proposing to prepare any additional Supplementary Planning Documents.
3.2 The main formal stages in plan preparation follow the Regulations The Town and Country Planning (Local Planning) (England) Regulations 2012 (as amended) are as follows:
Preparation (Regulation 18)
This stage involves notifying those bodies or persons specified in the Regulations that the Council intends to prepare a Local Plan document; the subject of that document, and inviting representations on what such a document should contain.
Publication (Regulation 19)
The Local Plan document, as intended for submission to the Secretary of State, will be published for formal consultation.
Submission (Regulation 22)
The Local Plan document is submitted for independent examination by a planning inspector, along with all comments received at the publication stage.
Examination (Regulation 24)
An independent inspector is appointed by the planning inspectorate to assess the soundness of the submitted plan. The inspector will take all comments received into account.
Adoption (Regulation 26)
This is the stage at which the Council formally adopts the Local Plan document as part of the development plan.
Cheshire West and Chester Local Plan
Document and details
Title: Cheshire West and Chester Local Plan
Role and content: The new local plan will set out the vision, strategic objectives, spatial strategy, strategic and other policies for Cheshire West and Chester, including minerals Role and content and waste. The plan will set out the levels of development required and where these needs will be met including through allocations. The plan will replace both the existing 'Local Plan (Part One) Strategic Polices' and 'Local Plan (Part Two) Land Allocations and Detailed Policies'.
Status: Development Plan Document
Geographical coverage: Borough-wide
Chain of conformity: Conforms with National Planning Policy Framework
Timetable and milestones
| Stage | Details | Date |
|---|---|---|
| Preparation (Regulation 18) | Initial consultation on the scope and issues and engagement of stakeholders | Summer 2025 |
| Publication (Regulation 19) | Statutory public consultation (6 weeks) prior to submission of the Local Plan for examination | Autumn 2026 |
| Submission (Regulation 22) | Submit document to Secretary of State for examination | December 2026 |
| Examination hearings (Regulation 24) | Independent examination into the soundness of the document | Spring / Summer 2027 |
| Adoption (Regulation 26) | Document adopted and published | Summer / Autumn 2027 |
Arrangements for production
Lead department: Planning Policy
Management arrangements: Key stages will be be agreed by Cabinet. It will require full Council approval at the appropriate stages.
Resources: Planning Policy budget and central contingency budget.
Involving stakeholders and the community: Consultation will be undertaken in line with the regulations and the Council’s Statement of Community Involvement.
Post production
Monitoring: Monitored on an annual basis through the Annual Monitoring Report.
Review: The effectiveness of the Local Plan will be reviewed through the Annual Monitoring Report after adoption and before a period of five years to assess if it requires updating.