Spelthorne begins work on a new Local Plan

The Local Plan is the borough's main planning document. It sets out where new homes, jobs, infrastructure and community facilities should be located and helps determine planning applications.

As work begins, the Council is inviting residents, businesses, community groups and other stakeholders to share their views on what the new Plan should focus on.

Why is the Council preparing a new Local Plan so soon?

Spelthorne adopted its current Local Plan in March 2026. However, since then the Government has introduced significant changes to the national planning system, including new planning policies and a new process for preparing Local Plans.

As a result, councils across the country are reviewing their planning policies to ensure they remain up to date and comply with the latest national requirements.

To make sure Spelthorne has a Local Plan that reflects the new national planning framework and continues to meet the borough's future needs, the Council is now beginning work on a new Plan. Once adopted, it will replace the current Local Plan.

The Council is still at the very start of this process and no decisions have been made about specific development sites.

Have your say from the start

The first step in preparing the new Local Plan is a scoping consultation.

This consultation is an opportunity for residents, local businesses, visitors and other interested organisations to help identify the key issues, opportunities and challenges that the new Plan should address.

The Council is seeking views on:

• the strategic issues that the new Local Plan should address
• which organisations and bodies should be consulted
• how the Council should engage with these stakeholders as evidence is developed
• how future consultation and engagement should be carried out

Feedback received at this stage will help shape the evidence gathering and policy development that takes place later in the process.

How to take part

Before responding, residents can visit the new Local Plan page on the Strategic Planning Engagement Hub on Commonplace, where they can read the Scoping Statement and find out more about the process.

Comments can be submitted through the online survey on the Engagement Hub. People can also share views about specific locations using the interactive map survey.

The consultation runs for six weeks, from Monday 22 June 2026 until Monday 3 August 2026 at 11.59pm.

Once the consultation closes, all responses will be reviewed and used to inform the next stage of preparing the new Local Plan.

Further information, including alternative ways to respond, is available on the FAQ page.

Cllr John Turner, Chair of Spelthorne Borough Council's Environment and Sustainability Committee, said:

"The Local Plan plays a vital role in shaping the future of Spelthorne, helping us balance the need for homes, jobs, infrastructure and environmental protection. As we begin preparing this new Plan, it is important that local people, businesses and community organisations have the opportunity to tell us what matters most to them. I would encourage everyone to take part in the consultation and help us create a Local Plan that reflects the aspirations, priorities and needs of our borough for years to come."