Local Plans

All Local Planning Authorities must prepare a Local Plan, which sets out the vision, strategy and policies to enable the sustainable development of the area. 

What is a Local Plan?

A Local Plan is a portfolio of plans and policies setting out where and how development should take place in a set area over a set period of time. They usually cover:

  • The Core Strategy sets out the strategic vision and objectives for the area, how it will look in 15/20 years' time, and what the key things are to be achieved. It sets out the plan's spatial strategy i.e. what the general location of development will be, including any significant areas of change or conservation, shown on a key diagram.
  • The Site Allocations identify specific locations needed and suitable for development, such as urban extensions to increase the size of a town or city, new settlements, or the locations of major regeneration or redevelopment schemes.
  • The allocations must be shown on the Proposals Map. The Local Plan can also include more general policies to guide how development takes place, what issues developers must take into account, and how development should look.

Most council's include all of these elements into a single 'Local Plan', but some split them into separate documents or plans. 

How is a Local Plan prepared?

Local Plans must be prepared in consultation with the community and there are set times in the process where local people can put their ideas across to their council. The plan-making process is a long one, often running over several years. It is important that we put forward comments at every stage possible to make sure wildlife has a voice, particularly the early stages as this is when most change can happen.

How is a Local Plan finalised?

Local Plans must conform to the wording and guidance set out in national planning policy, which is known as the National Planning Policy Framework. The Local Plan will be tested by the Planning Inspectorate, and a Planning Inspector will decide whether the submitted plan is legally compliant and ‘sound’ – namely that it is:

  • Positively prepared – the plan should be prepared based on a strategy which seeks to meet objectively assessed development and infrastructure requirements, including unmet requirements from neighbouring authorities where it is reasonable to do so and consistent with achieving sustainable development;
  • Justified – the plan should be the most appropriate strategy, when considered against the reasonable alternatives, based on proportionate evidence;
  • Effective – the plan should be deliverable over its period and based on effective joint working on cross-boundary strategic priorities; and
  • Consistent with national policy – the plan should enable the delivery of sustainable development in accordance with the policies in the Framework.

Here are some recent examples of our work on strategic planning

All these responses follow on from continuous work to influence local authorities and their strategic planning processes for the benefit of nature:


2024

    2023

    2022

    2021

    2020

    There are 16 Local Planning Authorities in Sussex, and each one must prepare a Local Plan. 

    For more details on your Local Plan, please visit the website of the District or Borough that applies to you:

    West Sussex

    East Sussex

    South Downs National Park

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