Scoping consultation underway (ends 30 September 2026)

View the Wiltshire Local Plan Scoping Document

Wiltshire Council are preparing a new local plan under the new plan-making system that came into effect in March 2026 which follows a new process as set out in legislation Local Planning Regulations 2026. This new system aims to create simpler, clearer, and more consistent plans that are quicker to prepare and easier for communities to understand and engage with. 

Wiltshire Council The scoping consultation is the first formal consultation stage in preparing the Wiltshire Local Plan. It helps identify the key issues, priorities and opportunities the Plan should address.

It gives you, our communities and stakeholders, the opportunity to take part and respond to the six questions below that will help shape the content of the Plan and how we engage with you throughout its preparation:

• topic one: what the Wiltshire Local Plan should contain
  1. informing the vision: what are the key local challenges, priorities and opportunities relevant for the future development of Wiltshire?
  2. shaping the spatial strategy: how do you think we should meet development needs and where we should focus growth?
  3. informing locally specific policies: what do you think locally specific policies could and should cover in the Wiltshire Local Plan? 
  4. evidence requirements: what evidence do you think is needed to inform the Plan - do you have thoughts on how it should be prepared?
  5. what the Plan should contain: do you have any further thoughts on what the Wiltshire Local Plan should contain?
• topic two: how we should engage with you during the preparation of the Wiltshire Local Plan
  1. please provide your thoughts on how we should engage with you in the preparation of the Wiltshire Local Plan

Wiltshire Council Local Plan Timetable

2 September 2026  

Scoping consultation begins, asking questions such as what the plan should contain and how to engage during its preparation. 

30 September 2026  

Scoping consultation ends, all comments must be received by this date.

30  October 2026  

Gateway 1: Publish a self-assessment summary of our readiness to commence plan preparation and marks start of 30-month timeframe. 

Prior to next round of consultation

Publish summary of scoping consultation, setting out who was consulted, how, the main issues raised and how representations have been had regard to so far. 

7  April  2027  

Consultation on proposed local plan content and evidence begins. 

19  May  2027     

Consultation on proposed local plan content and evidence ends, all comments must be received by this date. 

Prior to next round of consultation 

Publish summary of consultation on proposed local plan content and evidence, setting out who was consulted, how, the main issues raised and how representations have been had regard to so far. 

15 September 2027  

Gateway 2: Seek observations and advice from the Planning Inspectorate on aspects of the proposed plan at that stage.  

To be confirmed

Gateway 2: Publish observations and advice from Gateway Assessor.   

15  March 2028  

Consultation on proposed local plan begins, including policies and site allocations alongside evidence gathered.  

10  May  2028    

Consultation on proposed local plan ends date, all comments must be received by this date.

Prior to next round of consultation

Publish summary of consultation on proposed local plan, setting out who was consulted, how, the main issues raised and how representations have been had regard to so far. 

1 August 2028  

Gateway 3: Seek observations and advice from the Planning Inspectorate on the version of our plan we intend to submit for examination and other supporting documents, including our completed statement of compliance. The gateway assessor will decide whether the plan is ready to be submitted for examination.  

To be confirmed

Gateway 3: Publish observations and advice from Gateway Assessor.

31 October 2028  

Submit local plan and associated documents to the Secretary of State for independent examination. 

30 April 2029  

Local plan will be considered for adoption.  

The consultation documents

The Wiltshire Local Plan Scoping Document is the main consultation document and sets out the six specific questions we are asking as part of the scoping consultation. 

This document also sets out what a local plan is, when and how we are preparing it and what happens after the scoping consultation: 

Wiltshire Local Plan Scoping Document

Two further documents have been published to support the consultation: 

1. Wiltshire Baseline Survey of Area (2026-2045) report: sets out baseline information relating to the physical, economic, social and environmental characteristics of Wiltshire, to help inform and illustrate the challenges we need to plan for
2. Draft Wiltshire Local Plan Engagement Strategy: sets out the proposed approach to engagement as part of preparing the Local Plan (this document is intended to inform your responses to the scoping consultation)