Local Plan submitted for examination
Wiltshire Council has officially submitted its Local Plan to the Secretary of State for independent examination. This is an important milestone in the context of the Government’s proposals to impose vastly increased and unsustainable housing targets on rural counties like Wiltshire (they are proposing an 81% increase in Wiltshire housing numbers). Because Wiltshire Council was well advanced in our Local Plan preparation, we have been able to submit our plan based on the current numbers, prior to the increases being threatened by Government.
The examination process will assess whether the plan has been prepared in accordance with legal and procedural requirements and that it meets the statutory test of soundness.
The Local Plan outlines the vision and framework for housing, infrastructure, and employment land growth to 2038. Once adopted, it will become the key document against which all planning applications in Wiltshire are assessed, making it the most significant place-shaping tool for the county.
More than 10,700 comments from thousands of respondents were received during the consultation. These responses, along with the Plan, will now be considered by the independent Planning Inspectorate.
This is Wiltshire’s most ambitious Local Plan to date. In addition to identifying suitable sites for housing and employment, it introduces bold sustainability policies. All new developments will be required to achieve zero-carbon standards, enhance biodiversity, and include cycling and walking connections.