Local Plan Review Evidence Base

Update June 2026

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.

Some of the documents prepared for the Issues and Options consultation have been replaced in the new process, these are shown at the bottom of this page.

We have produced a number of assessments and studies. These documents continue to form the emerging evidence base for the Local Plan.

We will update this page when new studies are undertaken and completed.

Strategic Environmental Assessment (SEA) - Notice of Determination (June 2026)

Interim Strategic Land Availability Assessment (December 2024)

Interim Brownfield Potential Background Paper (December 2024)

Background papers were produced on the following specific themes (December 2024):

• Settlement Gaps Background Paper
• Biodiversity Background Paper
• Landscape Background Paper

Completed studies undertaken under the old planning system:

Sustainability Appraisal Scoping report (December 2024):

• Non-technical summary
• Main report and Appendices

Interim Sustainability Appraisal report (December 2024):

• Non-technical summary
• Main report and Appendices

These Sustainability Appraisal reports will be replaced by the Strategic Environmental Assessment for the new Local Plan, see the Notice of Determination above. 

Habitats Regulations Assessment Preliminary Screening Report (November 2024)

The Habitats Regulations Assessment preliminary screening will be replaced by a new assessment for the new Local Plan.