The Council continues to progress with the preparation of our next Local Plan and we wish to provide an update on the latest position and way forward including an updated timetable. Technical work is ongoing, including on compiling an updated evidence base, and on consideration of the comments made in response to the Refined Issues & Options Consultation held in summer 2020.
A new scope and timetable for the next Local Plan and has now been agreed in the form of an updated Local Development Scheme (LDS) Test Valley LDS – Annex.pdf which was approved by the Cabinet on 29 September 2021. The LDS sets out the approach the Council will follow and within it Appendix 1 provides a profile of the document and the timetable for its production through to adoption. The full Cabinet report is available here https://democracy.testvalley.gov.uk/documents/s17367/Test%20Valley%20LDS%20-%20Report.pdf
The LDS is also available on our website here Local Development Scheme (LDS) | Test Valley Borough Council and the final version will be available in this page in due course.
Going forward, it is proposed that a full review of the current adopted Local Plan (2016) will be undertaken, with the next formal consultation on a draft plan (Regulation 18 Preferred Approach) being undertaken in two stages during 2022:
Stage 1
Public consultation in 2022 Quarter 1 on a draft document which will reflect more strategic matters.
Stage 2
Public consultation in 2022 Quarter 4 on a full draft plan which will update the more strategic matters (from Stage 1), along with site allocations and development management policies.
This two stage approach and timetable, enables an iterative plan making process, which ensures an evidence led approach along with ensuring engagement and consultation outcomes can be considered and reflected in the next Local Plan. It also enables a degree of flexibility for any proposed Government changes to the planning system, to be considered as relevant.
If any questions please contactplanningpolicy@testvalley.gov.uk