Draft Local Plan 2042
Following Full Council on 22 July 2026, Test Valley Borough Council will move from progression under the ‘legacy’ plan making system to commencing under the new ‘gateway’ plan making system. The report can be found in the agenda pack here.
What is a Local Plan?
The Local Plan guides future development within the Test Valley area. It sets out planning policies to address our communities’ needs e.g. the amount of housing and employment needed, and how we intend to deliver sustainable development. It also covers policies on our town centres, countering climate change and conserving and enhancing our local environment and heritage. We also use it in assessing planning applications.
The Local Plan is produced by us (Test Valley Borough Council), in our role as the local planning authority, and must follow national guidance at each stage. Local plans are important as they shape how places will change in the future. The Local Plan sets out the policies and principles by which planning decisions will be made and development undertaken.
Where we are with preparation?
We had been working on a new draft Local Plan for a number of years, under the current ‘legacy’ plan making system. We undertook five stages of public consultation Issues and Options consultation (2018), Refined Issues and Options consultation (2020), Regulation 18 Stage 1 (2022), Regulation 18 Stage 2 (2024) and Revised Regulation 18.
However, over the last few years there have been a series of factors beyond our control which has made the process of producing a Local Plan even more complex, to the extent where these issues have affected our ability to progress as envisaged.
Following Full Council on 22 July 2026, we will move from progression under the ‘legacy’ plan making system to commencing under the new ‘gateway’ plan making system.
Some Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) have been prepared regarding the recommendation going to full Council, which can be found here New Plan Making System FAQs
The press release can be viewed here.