Local Plan Issues and Options (Regulation 18)

In October 2023, the Government introduced changes to how local plans are prepared. Councils were expected to submit plans under the existing system by 31 December 2026. 

We initially continued work under the current system, including the Regulation 18 Issues and Options consultation that took place last year. 

After reviewing progress, the Council has now decided to move to the new plan-making system, as a more robust and reliable approach.  

Work will now continue under the new process, which includes a series of formal consultation stages. There will be further opportunities for residents, businesses and stakeholders to have their say. Further details are available on the new Local Plan page. 

The Council would like to thank everyone who responded to the Issues and Options consultation last year. All comments have helped inform the evidence base and ongoing work. 

Regulation 18 consultation

The Regulation 18 Issues and Options consultation ran from 4 July to 29 August 2025 and was the first stage in producing a new Local Plan. We asked for your feedback on:

• whether we've identified the right issues
• which options are best to address these issues
• our suggested policy changes
• three possible strategy options for how the area could grow

We also asked for comments on the Sustainability Appraisal (SA) incorporating a Strategic Environmental Assessment (SEA), Equalities Impact Assessment, Health Impact Assessment, and Rural Proofing , as well as the Habitats Regulations Assessment (HRA).

Individual comments that were received can be viewed alongside each question in the Local Plan Issues and Options consultation document.  

A summary of responses can be found in the Local Plan Issues and Options - summary of responses.  

This feedback will help shape the development of a new Local Plan, under the new-plan-making system, and has already helped to: identify key issues and opportunities; improve our evidence base; and highlight where further technical work is needed.