Local Plan Issues and Options (Regulation 18)

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).

A Regulation 18 Issues and Options Public Notice (Statement of Availability) was also published.

New site suggestions

We also invited suggestions for new sites to be assessed in the next stage of the Land Availability Assessment.

Supporting and background information

Extra documents are available to help explain the plan and show how decisions are being made. You can also view summaries of past consultations.

• The Places Background Paper provides evidence and information on the relative sustainability of settlements within the borough.
• Issues and Options background data (Excel file) gives details of population, household and dwelling numbers; housing and employment planning permissions, development plan sites and LAA supply; and settlement services and facilities profiles/surveys.

What happens next?

We are currently reviewing all feedback on the Issues and Options document. Individual comments 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 next stage of the Local Plan. You'll have another chance to comment on this next stage.