Update on preparing a new Local Plan for the South Downs
Claire Tester, Head of Strategic Planning, gives a useful update on the South Downs Local Plan and the next steps towards adoption of a new masterplan for placemaking in the National Park.
The Proposed Submission Local Plan is being reported to Planning Committee on 12 February and the full National Park Authority on 20 March for agreement to publish it for final public comments (Regulation 19).
The publication in May/June is the last opportunity for people to comment on the new Local Plan before the Authority submits it to the Inspectorate for examination.
The Planning Inspector will be sent any representations that are made during this Regulation 19 publication.
Any comments should relate to legal compliance or soundness of the Local Plan (that it is consistent with national policy), and advice will be provided to help members of the public to do this.
The Local Plan will be submitted for examination in the Autumn, along with any representations received during the Regulation 19 publication.
The Authority will also submit a list of any proposed modifications to the Local Plan.
The Inspector will consider these and make recommendations about any changes to the Plan that are needed to make it ‘sound’.
There will be a further public consultation on any major modifications to the Local Plan before the Inspector’s final report is made.
Subject to this being positive, it is anticipated that the Local Plan will be adopted sometime during 2027.
Read key documents and find updates at our hub.