Why local plans matter

Will people have a say on the 1.5 million homes?

To tackle the housing crisis, 1.5 million homes have been promised for England. The new government has been quick to prove its commitment to building more new homes, faster with changes to the planning system and new housing targets for councils to boost housebuilding.

Councils will be at the forefront of this change and the Local Plan, as a vital part of our planning process, will become even more important. At Filigree, we are often called upon to help a council to get more people involved in shaping this important document through public consultation as we did recently for Breckland District Council.

Get involved early

Spotting a notice for a planning application for a nearby development often prompts people to take interest in proposals for new homes, or object to proposals. Helping to shape the council’s long-term vision is a way to consider issues proactively, long before an application comes forward. We always tell people that sharing views on a new Local Plan is the ideal time to share their ideas or concerns on how the countryside, a village, town or city should be protected or how it should grow in the future. 

Every council is required by the government to have an up to date Local Plan. A Local Plan sets out a long-term vision about how a local authority area will grow over the coming decades taking into consideration population trends, how best to support the local economy and reflecting the needs of communities. Updating a Local Plan is a moment to pause and reflect on how well it responds to an area’s needs. 

Make it appealing

Encouraging local people to take an interest in their Local Plan is one of the most challenging things we do when it comes to public consultation. How do you get people to think about the next 25 years and what they might like to see change? If you have a requirement for community consultation, talk to us about how we can facilitate workshops, reach seldom-heard audiences, engagement activities for virtual and in-person events, as well as a narrative that will catch people’s attention. 

Have your say on proposed changes for Local Plans

For everyone involved in planning, regeneration and local government, don’t miss the chance to share your views. The government is inviting views on its proposed approach to revising the National Planning Policy Framework in its own consultation, open until 24th September and this includes potentially changing the Local Plan intervention criteria which determines when the Secretary of State might step in to direct plan-making or remove these powers from a council.