Local Plan review 2024
Since the Issues and Options consultation in December 2024, the process of preparing a Local Plan has changed. We are now required to formally begin the Local Plan process under updated regulations.
Please see the new Local Plan Review to 2044 pages for more information on the new Local Plan and Scoping Consultation
The Council has recently consulted on the first stage of the Local Plan Review. The Issues and Options consultation was held between Wednesday 4 December 2024 – 29 January 2025.
We are now considering all the comments received and working out the next steps for the Local Plan Review. Once completed, we will publish these comments online.
What we are doing
Eastleigh Borough Council is reviewing the Eastleigh Local Plan 2016-2036 (adopted April 2022). The Local Plan Review will set out the policies and plans to guide future development in the Borough. It will be used to determine planning applications and will review and update the policies as required in the recently adopted Local Plan.
In winter 2024/25, we ran an Issues and Options consultation as part of our Local Plan Review:
This identified four broad areas where new communities could be created. These are called Strategic Development Options (SDOs). An SDO could include new homes, green space, and potentially businesses, schools and health facilities.
It also identified over 50 Small and Medium Site Options (SMSOs). These are smaller sites. Some may fit within existing communities and provide more choice for new homes.
Important: all of the above sites were put forward by landowners and developers. The Council has not proposed them. Any site would still need detailed assessment, and there would be further public consultation through the Local Plan process and/or as part of any planning application.
How we will decide
Our Local Plan aims to support sustainable growth. That means balancing:
- the need for new homes (including government targets)
- jobs and the local economy
- protecting the environment and our countryside
We are still analysing responses from the Issues and Options consultation and gathering evidence. This will help us decide which SDOs and SMSOs should go forward for more detailed work.
In November, the Government announced it is introducing a new local plan process. We will follow this process. These reforms are likely to affect our timetable, and we are working on a revised timetable.
When the evidence work is complete, we will decide which sites to take forward for further consultation and assessment.
At this stage, we do not have a preferred option between the SDOs and SMSOs. Our aim is to identify the best sites for homes, businesses and community facilities, while protecting our most important countryside and ensuring the right infrastructure is in place.
We will keep residents informed throughout.