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The Wiltshire Local Plan (also referred to here as 'the Plan') has reached what is known as the publication stage (Regulation 19) of its preparation, and will now enter an eight week consultation period running from Wednesday 27 September to Wednesday 22 November.
This consultation is the final stage before the Plan, its accompanying evidence, and all submitted comments are sent to a government Planning Inspector for independent examination. In accordance with the Planning and Compulsory Purchase Act 2004 (legislation.gov.uk) (opens new window), the Planning Inspector will consider all comments made within the consultation period.
Live webinar and drop-in events
As part of the consultation there will be a live webinar, and 16 drop-in events at libraries and leisure centres across the county.
The publication version of the Wiltshire Local Plan builds on the findings of earlier consultations, which can be found on our previous consultations page.
Have your say on the Wiltshire Local Plan (the Plan)
When the Plan is examined by the Planning Inspector, they decide whether it complies with any legal requirements and whether it meets the 'tests of soundness'. To have the greatest impact, you should focus your comments on:
whether the Plan been positively prepared; the Plan should be based on a strategy that looks to meet Wiltshire's development need and whether sufficient infrastructure is being provided
whether the Plan is justified; the Plan should be the most appropriate strategy for Wiltshire, when considered against the reasonable alternatives
whether the Plan is effective; the Plan should be deliverable during the Plan period, up until 2038
whether the Plan is consistent with national planning policy; do you think there are parts of the plan that don't accord with government policy?
As an example, you may feel that part of the Plan does - or does not - meet one (or more) of the 'tests of soundness'. This may relate to issues such as (but not limited to) highways, flooding, ecology, landscape or archaeology. For more information about making a representation and definition of 'soundness', see the frequently asked question 'What is Regulation 19 and what can I comment on?'.
Online consultation portal
Comments (known as 'representations' in this context) can be submitted online using the council's consultation portal. This is the recommended route, and the simplest, as it allows you to comment directly on the Plan as you look through it. It ensures your comments are relevant and can be easily examined by a Planning Inspector. Access to the portal and instructions on how to use it are below.
Submitting comments (representations) via the consultation portal is simple, and is as follows:
follow the link to the consultation portal (above)
navigate and read through the Plan using the navigation pane
to comment, click on the green speech bubble on the part of the Plan you wish to comment on (the form will pop-up on your screen for you to complete). You can add multiple comments on separate sections of the plan should you wish to do so
there is an option to upload attachment(s) to your comments at the end of the representation form, should you wish to
when you are finished, make sure you submit your comments by clicking 'complete' and then 'submit' (you will receive an email if you have any representations you are yet to submit, to prompt you to finish them)
you will receive an email once your comments are submitted
For each Market Town and Principal Settlement we have prepared a 'Planning for' document that helps to explain the proposals within the Wiltshire Local Plan for each of these settlements:
Hard copies of the Plan and supporting documents are available
Hard copies of the Plan, and supporting documents, will be available to view, during the consultation period, at the council's main offices and a selection of libraries and community hubs, as detailed below. You can also request individual copies, for which printing and postage costs will be payable, see below for details.
The council's main offices are open 9am to 5pm, Monday to Friday.
Monkton Park Chippenham Wiltshire SN15 1ER
The Council House Bourne Hill Salisbury Wiltshire SP1 3UZ
County Hall Bythesea Road Trowbridge Wiltshire BA14 8JN
The draft Plan, the draft Sustainability Appraisal Report (incorporating requirements of the Environmental Assessment of Plans and Programmes Regulations 2004), and the draft Habitat Regulations Assessment, will be made available to view at the following libraries and community hubs during normal opening hours.
Hard copies of the Plan, and supporting documents, can be provided to individuals if requested. Printing and postage costs will be payable by those requesting this service, these costs are as follows:
for Wiltshire Council members, town and parish councils, and Wiltshire residents: printed copies of the Local Plan and of the 'planning for' documents are available at £10 for a colour copy, or £5 for a black and white copy. All other prices for documents are available on request, based on the size of the document
for all other organisations and non-Wiltshire residents: printed copies of the Local Plan and of the 'planning for' documents are available at £40 for a colour copy, or £20 for a black and white copy. All other prices for documents are available on request, based on the size of the document
Regulation 19 is part of the Town and Country Planning (Local Planning) (England) Regulations 2012 (legislation.gov.uk) (opens new window). It says that, before submitting a draft Local Plan to the Government's Planning Inspectorate for independent examination, the council must publish a draft of the Local Plan and formally invite comments (known as 'representations' in this context) on it. This version of the Local Plan is known as the Publication Plan.
The Regulations make clear that the council must invite representations, not just from consultation bodies like the Environment Agency, Natural England and Historic England, but also from residents and businesses in the area covered by the Local Plan. The Regulation 19 consultation presents the opportunity to comment on the content of the Local Plan, within a specific remit. The Planning and Compulsory Purchase Act 2004, as amended, states that the purpose of the examination is to consider whether the Plan complies with the relevant legal requirements, including the duty to co-operate, and is sound.
The focus for this consultation, therefore, relates to receiving representations on:
Legal Compliance - does the plan meet the legal requirements made under various statutes?
Soundness - has the plan been positively prepared, is it justified, effective, and consistent with national policy?
Meets the Duty to Cooperate - has the council engaged and worked effectively with neighbouring authorities and statutory bodies?
Following the end of the consultation period, the council will process, summarise, and consider the main issues raised. It will submit the Plan, accompanying evidence, and all submitted comments (known as 'representations' in this context), to the Secretary of State, who will appoint an Inspector to undertake an independent examination. The Inspector will assess whether the Plan meets the relevant legal requirements, complies with the Duty to Cooperate, and is sound.
If you wish to take part in the independent examination hearing session(s) you must outline why you think this is necessary in your representations at this Regulation 19 stage. The Inspector will decide the most appropriate procedure to hear from members of the public who would like to participate in hearing(s). This may be in writing, or they may invite you to attend and speak at the hearing sessions.
It is vital that you express your wish to engage in the examination at this stage. Not doing so may mean that you do not have the ability to write to or speak at the hearings. You can always change your mind later, but without indicating a potential wish now, there is no way for the Inspector, or their Programme Officer, to know to contact you.
Contact us for more information
If you would like any further information on the Plan, proposed submission documents, or any of the supporting documents, please contact us.
Post: Spatial Planning Planning Directorate Wiltshire Council County Hall Bythesea Road Trowbridge Wiltshire BA14 8JN
Your personal details
To ensure an effective and fair examination, it is important that the Inspector and all other participants in the examination process are able to know who has made comments (known as 'representations' in this context)on the plan. The council will therefore ensure that the names of those making representations can be made available (including publication on the council's website) and taken into account by the Inspector.
The council therefore cannot accept anonymous representations - you must provide us with your name and contact details. Address details will not be made publicly available. All personal data will be handled in line with the council's Spatial Planning privacy notice.
