FIRST STAGE OF THE NEW LOCAL PLAN UNDERWAY

Following the adoption of our Winchester District Local Plan 2040 in March of this year, we are now preparing our next Local Plan.

The Government has changed the timeline and process for the preparation of new Local Plans, and now require them to be prepared within a 30 month timescale, following defined stages.

Scoping Consultation

The first stage is a scoping consultation. This is the very first step in preparing the Local Plan 2044.

The consultation is asking for views on the main issues the plan should address, such as housing, the environment, infrastructure and climate change which have been informed by the Government’s updated National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF) published in August 2026.

Who is the consultation aimed at? 

This first stage consultation is a technical document primarily aimed at organisations such as National Highways, the Environment Agency and other councils, although anyone is welcome to respond.  

Can we comment on sites at this stage?

Please be aware, that this stage does not include locations of future housing or employment sites - these will be considered at a later stage of the plan preparation process and would be subject to full public consultation. 

Please find more information on the scoping consultation here.

Page last updated: Monday 21 September 2026