Local Plan: Publication Local Plan

The second draft of the new Local Plan is known as the 'Publication' or 'Regulation 19' version. It was made available for public consultation from 9 June to 24 July 2023.

Its development has been informed by the Pre-Publication consultation, from 10 December 2021 to 31 January 2022, and further work on our evidence base, which followed work commencing the Plan in early 2020.

The Local Plan sets out a 15-year strategic vision, objectives and the spatial strategy. The plan includes place-based strategies covering the whole borough, along with accompanying site allocations, as well as the thematic planning policies that will guide future development in the borough. It will inform how growth will be accommodated across the borough. The plan seeks to address future challenges including climate change, health, affordability and liveability.

The Publication Local Plan is the final draft of the Local Plan produced by the Council before it is submitted to the Planning Inspectorate (PINS), which acts on behalf of the Secretary of State. It is the role of PINS to examine the Local Plan to consider whether it meets various tests of 'soundness', as well as for legal and procedural compliance with the relevant regulations. As a result of the examination, PINS may recommend that further changes to the plan are necessary before it can be adopted.

This page sets out all the consultation and supporting documents and the details of how to respond. If you have would like to understand more about the Local Plan and what it does, the process and how it addresses key issues, view the Local Plan explained page. 

Consultation on the Publication Local Plan

At this stage of the plan-making process, in accordance with national guidance,  it was requested that consultation responses focus on legal and procedural compliance, including the duty to cooperate, and the soundness of the Plan. 

There are four different tests of soundness, which require the Local Plan to be:

• Positively prepared - It provides a strategy which, as a minimum, seeks to meet the area’s objectively assessed needs and is informed by agreements with other authorities
• Justified - It is based on an appropriate strategy, taking into account the reasonable alternatives, and is based on proportionate evidence
• Effective - It is deliverable over the plan period, and is based on effective joint working on cross-boundary strategic matters
• Consistent with national policy - To enable to delivery of sustainable development

The tests of soundness are identified in paragraph 35 of the National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF). We have produced a guidance note which provides further information in support of the consultation.

Consultation documents

The consultation was held on the following key documents:

Publication Local Plan (including changes to the Policies Map designations) (Regulation 19) - June 2023:

• Publication Local Plan (Low resolution version) - Some images are low quality
• Publication Local Plan (Online version) - Recommended for viewing images and interactivity in navigating the document

Sustainability Appraisal of the Publication Local Plan (June 2023) - Includes a non-technical summary.

Documents were available to view at the Civic Centre, 44 York Street, Twickenham, TW1 3BZ and in our main libraries.

Supporting documents

The Publication Local Plan is also informed by other supporting documents:

• Equality Impact and Needs Analysis (June 2023)
• Habitats Regulation Assessment (April 2023)
• Health Impact Assessment (June 2023)
• Flood Risk and Development Sequential Test (April 2023)
• Statement of Consultation (June 2023) - Including all the Pre-Publication responses and the Council’s response
• Duty to Cooperate Statement (June 2023)

A Local Plan summary (June 2023) has also been produced of the place-based strategies with site allocations and policies. A previous version of the Local Plan summary accompanied the Pre-Publication Plan, which set out some of the main changes when compared to the adopted Local Plan, and this has now been updated to summarise the main changes between the Pre-Publication and Publication versions.

Evidence base

The Local Plan is also informed by a range of evidence base documents, which have been produced alongside this and the Pre-Publication Local Plan.

View the evidence base for the full scope of studies.

Interactive map

We have produced an interactive map which shows the draft policy designations spatially. In this map, you can toggle various layers on and off by checking the boxes in the legend on the left-hand side of the screen. Clicking on the map will tell you what applies in a particular location.

How respondents took part

Respondents were able to submit comments online through our consultation portal, or by emailing or posting our response form by Monday 24 July 2023.

Adoption of the Local Plan for Development Management Purposes

At the Full Council meeting on 27 April 2023, it was agreed to adopt and use the Publication Local Plan for development management purposes and determining planning applications, with the exception of Policy 39 in relation to biodiversity net gain and Policy 4 in relation to the increase in the carbon offset rate, with appropriate weight given in accordance with paragraph 48 of the National Planning Policy Framework.

What happens next

The Plan along with all representations received will be submitted to the Secretary of State for independent Examination in Public. We are expecting submission to be later in 2023. At the Examination in Public, the Planning Inspector(s) will consider all representations received at Regulation 19 stage and examine the Plan, the evidence supporting it and make a decision whether it is sound and meets the legal requirements. It is anticipated that the Plan will be adopted in winter 2024/25, at which point it will supersede the existing Local Plan and the Twickenham Area Action Plan.