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Wiltshire Local Plan Regulation 19 consultation (closed)
During the Local Plan consultation held in the autumn 2023 we received more than 10,700 comments from the public, Wiltshire Council members, businesses, community groups, and town and parish councils.
The consultation ran from Wednesday 27 September, to Wednesday 22 November. This was an opportunity for all interested parties to have their say on the proposals. This consultation represented 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.
This webpage provides information on the consultation that was undertaken.
Drop-in events and webinar
As part of the consultation there were 16 drop-in events at libraries and leisure centres across the county. A live webinar was also held on 10 October, a recording of which is available on our YouTube channel.
The webinar included a question and answer session. Due to the volume of questions that were received, it was not possible for all of them to be answered during the event. We have therefore published a document containing all of the questions that were submitted, and their answers.
The publication version of the Wiltshire Local Plan builds on the findings of earlier consultations, which can be found on our previous consultations page.
Dates, time and locations of the drop in sessions which were held
Amesbury, Bulford, Durrington, Great Wishford, Porton, Shrewton, Tilshead and The Winterbournes
Monday 2 October
3pm to 7pm
Bradford on Avon Library, Bridge Street, Bradford on Avon BA15 1BY
Bradford on Avon, Holt, Westwood and Winsley
Tuesday 3 October
3pm to 7pm
Olympiad Leisure Centre, Sadlers Mead, Chippenham SN15 3PA
Chippenham, Christian Malford, Hullavington, Kington St Michael, Sutton Benger and Yatton Keynell
Wednesday 4 October
3pm to 7pm
Melksham Community Campus, Market Place, Melksham SN12 6ES
Melksham, Atworth, Bowerhill, Seend, Semington, Shaw and Whitley and Steeple Ashton
Wednesday 4 October
3pm to 7pm
The Nadder Centre, Weaveland Road, Tisbury SP3 6HJ
Tisbury, Mere, Fovant, Hindon and Ludwell
Thursday 5 October
3pm to 7pm
Devizes Library, Sheep Street, Devizes SN10 1DL
Devizes, Bromham, Market Lavington, Potterne, Rowde, Urchfont, West Lavington, Littleton Pannell and Worton
Monday 9 October
3pm to 7pm
Marlborough Library, 91 High Street, Marlborough SN8 1HD
Marlborough, Aldbourne, Baydon, Broad Hinton, Ramsbury, Pewsey, Burbage, Great Bedwyn, Shalbourne and Upavon
Monday 9 October
3pm to 7pm
Malmesbury Library, 24 Cross Hayes Lane, Malmesbury SN16 9BG
Malmesbury, Ashton Keynes, Crudwell, Great Somerford, Oaksey and Sherston
Tuesday 10 October
6.30pm to 8pm
Online
Online webinar covering all of Wiltshire
Wednesday 11 October
3pm to 7pm
Springfield Community Campus, Beechfield Road, Corsham SN13 9DN
Corsham, Box, Colerne and Rudloe
Wednesday 11 October
3pm to 7pm
Royal Wootton Bassett library, 11 Borough Fields, Royal Wootton Bassett SN4 7AX
Royal Wootton Bassett, Cricklade, Lyneham and Purton
Thursday 12 October
3pm to 7pm
Atrium, County Hall, Bythesea Road, Trowbridge BA14 8JN
Trowbridge, Hilperton, North Bradley and Southwick
Monday 16 October
3pm to 7pm
Calne Library, The Strand, Calne SN11 0JU
Calne, Derry Hill and Studley
Monday 16 October
4.30pm to 8.30pm
Leighton Recreation Centre, Wellhead Lane, Westbury BA13 3PT
Westbury, Dilton Marsh and Bratton
Tuesday 17 October
3pm to 7pm
Salisbury Library, Market Walk, Salisbury SP1 1BL
Salisbury, Alderbury, Broad Chalke, Coombe Bissett, Dinton, Downton, Laverstock and Ford, Morgan's Vale, Woodfalls, Pitton, Whiteparish, Wilton and Winterslows
Wednesday 18 October
3pm to 7pm
Tidworth Leisure Centre, Nadder Road, Tidworth SP9 7QN
Tidworth, Ludgershall, Collingbourne Ducis and Netheravon
Wednesday 18 October
3pm to 7pm
Warminster Sports Centre, Woodcock Road, Warminster BA12 9DQ
Warminster, Chapmanslade, Codford, Corsley, Heytesbury and Sutton Veny
How you could 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) could be submitted online using the council's consultation portal. This was the recommended route, and the simplest, as it allowed you to comment directly on the Plan as you look through it. Access to the portal and instructions on how to use it are below.
Submitting comments (representations) via the consultation portal was 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
You could also view the Plan on our ArcGIS mapping platform, where we created interactive maps that illustrate each of the policies, and made available a series of stories taking you through the chapters of the Wiltshire Local Plan.
For each Market Town and Principal Settlement we 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, were also 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 could also request individual copies, for which printing and postage costs applied, 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, were made available to view at the following libraries and community hubs during normal opening hours.
Hard copies of the Plan, and supporting documents, could be provided to individuals if requested. Printing and postage costs were payable by those requesting this service, these costs were 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 were available at £10 for a colour copy, or £5 for a black and white copy. All other prices for documents were 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 were available at £40 for a colour copy, or £20 for a black and white copy. All other prices for documents were 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, related 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.
