A new plan-making system for England came into effect on 25 March 2026. Under this system, local plans are expected to be prepared through a prescribed process and submitted within 30 months of commencement.
Spelthorne Borough Council is preparing a new Local Plan to ensure planning policies remain up to date, reflect national policy and respond to local priorities and growth needs. The new Local Plan will replace the adopted Local Plan once it has been examined and adopted.
As required by the new plan-making system, the Council published a Notice of Intention to Commence Preparation of a New Local Plan on 19 June 2026.
Local Plan Timetable
The Council has published a Local Plan Timetable setting out the anticipated programme for preparing, consulting on, examining and adopting the new Local Plan.
The timetable can be viewed or downloaded below: Local Plan Timetable (PDF) , Local Plan Timetable (Excel)
Further information about the preparation of the new Local Plan and opportunities to participate in consultations can be found on the Council's Engagement Hub: Have Your Say Today - Spelthorne Borough Council Local Plan - Commonplace
Statutory Notice of Intention to Commence Preparation of a New Local Plan
Spelthorne Borough Council
Notice is hereby given that Spelthorne Borough Council intends to commence the preparation of a new Local Plan under the new plan‑making system introduced by the Levelling‑Up and Regeneration Act 2023.
The new Local Plan will set out the planning policies and site allocations that will guide development across the Spelthorne Borough Council Area over the National Planning Policy Framework 2026 minimum 10‑year period.
The Local Plan will replace the current adopted local plan(s) and is being prepared to ensure that planning policies remain up to date, reflect national policy, and respond to local priorities and growth needs.
The Notice of Intention to Commence was published on 19 June 2026. Following publication of the notice, the Council undertook a scoping consultation to help shape the content of the new Local Plan and inform the accompanying Strategic Environmental Assessment.
Further information about the new Local Plan, how to get involved, and updates on consultation stages can be found at: Have Your Say Today - Spelthorne Borough Council Local Plan - Commonplace
Following completion of the required notice period and scoping consultation, the Council published its Gateway 1 self‑assessment 19 October 2026, setting out its readiness to progress to the formal plan-making stage. -
Date of publication: 19th June 2026
Last modified:13/10/2026