Timetable for our Local Plan
We are preparing a new Guildford Local Plan in line with Government's new plan-making process.
A new timetable was agreed by the Council's Executive on 28 May 2026 (opens new window) and published on 5 June 2026.
The key milestones are set out below to be viewed here:
Annex 2 - Timetable
When | Stage | What does this mean? |
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5 June 2026 | Publish notice of intention to commence local plan preparation | This commences the minimum 4‑month notice period so that stakeholders are aware plan‑making is beginning. | 2 September 2026 | Start of the first formal consultation (notice of scoping consultation) | We will seek feedback from stakeholders on how to engage with them and what the plan should contain. | 14 October 2026 | Date by which representations need to have been received | The consultation will run for a 6-week period. | 30 October 2026 | Gateway 1: self‑assessment of readiness | Publication of a document setting out details of how we have gotten ready for plan‑making. This marks formal commencement of plan‑making for the purposes of Government's 30‑month timeframe. | 7 April 2027 | Start of the second formal consultation (notice of proposed plan content and evidence consultation) | We will seek feedback from stakeholders on proposed local plan content and evidence, including a draft vision. It will also include the proposed spatial strategy and any initial draft policies. | 19 May 2027 | Date by which representations need to have been received | The consultation will run for a 6-week period. | 1 September 2027 | Gateway 2 | We will seek observations and advice from the Planning Inspectorate (PINS) to help identify and resolve potential soundness issues at an early stage, and to ensure the plan is progressing towards meeting the statutory and policy requirements set out in legislation and national planning policy. | 1 March 2028 | Start of the third formal consultation (notice of proposed local plan consultation) | We will seek feedback from stakeholders on the proposed local plan. This is the version of the Local Plan that we intend to submit to the Secretary of State for examination. | 26 April 2028 | Date by which representations need to have been received | The consultation will run for an 8-week period. | 25 August 2028 | Gateway 3: prescribed requirements assessment | We will seek observations and advice from the Planning Inspectorate (PINS) to test if the proposed Local Plan meets the statutory and policy requirements set out in legislation and national planning policy, that all submission documents have been prepared and that the Local Plan is ready to proceed to examination. | 29 September 2028 | Examination | A 6-month examination of the Local Plan by an independent Planning Inspector to test whether the plan meets all legal and soundness requirements. | 30 April 2029 | Adoption | Publication of the Local Plan and adoption statement. |
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For more information about the new Guildford Local Plan and notice of intention to commence local plan preparation please view New Guildford Local Plan.
In order to meet the Government's approved data standard, you can also view Guildford Local Plan Timetable (Excel doc, 2 KB). This is provided under the Open Government License.
For more information, call 01483 505050 or email planningpolicy@guildford.gov.uk.
