The Local Plan 2020 – 2040 was adopted by Full Council on Tuesday 24 March 2026.

The adopted Winchester District Local Plan 2020 – 2040 replaces the existing Local Plan Part 1 – Joint Core Strategy (March 2013), Local Plan Part 2 – Development Management Policies and Site Allocations (April 2017) and the Gypsy, Traveller and Travelling Showperson Development Plan Document (February 2019).

• Adopted Winchester District Local Plan 2020 – 2040

  The adopted Winchester District Local Plan 2020 - 2040 can be viewed here ^{(pdf, 25.2mb)}.

• Adoption Statement

  The Council received the Inspector’s report dated 9 February 2026, and this marked the end of the Examination of the Winchester District Local Plan 2020 - 2040. The Report concluded that, with the recommended Main Modifications set out in the Appendix to this Report, the Winchester District Local Plan is sound, meaning that it could proceed to be adopted by the council.

  The Local Plan 2020-2040 has now been through the Council’s democratic decision-making process. It was debated at Scrutiny Committee on 17 March 2026, before then being considered by Cabinet the following day and then full Council on Tuesday 24 March 2026 at which the Plan was formally adopted.

  The adopted Winchester District Local Plan 2020 – 2040 replaces the existing Local Plan Part 1 – Joint Core Strategy (March 2013), Local Plan Part 2 – Development Management Policies and Site Allocations (April 2017) and the Gypsy, Traveller and Travelling Showperson Development Plan Document (February 2019).

  Following adoption of the Local Plan by Full Council, a formal six‑week period for potential judicial review is now open, running from 25 March to 6 May 2026.

  The Adoption statement can be viewed here ^{(pdf, 145kb)}.

  The Integrated Impact Assessment (IIA) and Habitats Regulations Assessment (HRA) Adoption statement can be viewed here.

• Inspector's Report and Final Modifications

  The Local Plan has been proressing through the examination process, and on 9 March it was confirmed from the Independent Planning Inspector, R Barrett MRTPI IHBC, that the plan, with the main modifications, was sound, legally compliant and ready for adoption, subject to council approvals.

  The Inspector's report can be viewed here ^{(pdf, 723kb)}. The Appendix to the main report, containing the Main Modifications can be viewed here. ^{(pdf, 5mb)}

• Integrated Impact Assessment (IIA) & Habitats Regulations Assessment (HRA)

  We are required by law to undertake a number of assessments at all stages throughout the plan making process. These assessments have been done as an Integrated Impact Assessment which will include a Sustainability Assessment (SA), a Strategic Environmental Assessment (SEA), a Habitats Regulation Assessment (HRA), a Health Impacts Assessment (HIA) and an Equalities Assessment (EqA). These assessments are necessary to ensure that the plan doesn’t adversely impact on these areas of interest.

  The IIA for the Main Modifications can be found here. ^{(pdf, 982kb)}

  The IIA for the further Main Modifications can be found here. ^{(pdf, 1.7mb)}

  The HRA is a document which is an assessment of the impact of the plan on protected animal species and where they live.  The aim is to keep any harm to an absolute minimum and, if we cannot avoid it, then to do something to compensate for it.  The HRA fed into and was used as a tool throughout the development of the Local Plan.

  The HRA for the Main Modifications can be found here. ^{(pdf, 568kb)}

  The HRA for the further Main Modifications can be found here. ^{(pdf, 173kb)}

  All of the previous IIA and HRA documents can be found in the Local Plan Library.