Local Development Scheme

What is the Local Development Scheme?

The Planning and Compulsory Purchase Act 2004 as amended by the Localism Act 2011 requires the council to prepare and maintain a Local Development Scheme (LDS).  The Wiltshire LDS sets out the Development Plan Documents (DPDs) prioritised for production by Wiltshire Council and the timetable for their preparation that will, when complete, together with other adopted documents, comprise the Development Plan for Wiltshire.

Local Development Scheme December 2022 

Local Development Scheme December 2022 (PDF) [5MB] (opens new window)
Local Development Scheme December 2022 accessible version (OpenDocument text format) [150KB] (opens new window)

The Local Development Scheme (LDS) is required to be kept up to date and was last reviewed in November 2021. That version reflected the knock-on effect of the redeployment of resources as part of the Council's response to the pandemic, as well as the outcome of the consultation response on the Wiltshire Local Plan Review. This was reported to Cabinet on 29 June 2021 when it was resolved that further work be undertaken to review key parts of the evidence base including testing the level of housing need and distribution of growth. This also affected the timeline for the separate DPD for Gypsies and Travellers being prepared in advance of the Local Plan Review. The November LDS also reaffirmed the council's commitment to review minerals and waste policies, setting out details of the review process.

Since November 2021, while good progress has been made on both the Local Plan Review and Gypsies and Travellers Development Plan Document further work is needed leading up to consultation on the draft Plans to ensure they are based on sound and robust evidence bases. The revised timelines together with an updated plan horizon date in response to the July 2021 consultation and the further work being undertaken on housing and employment evidence is reflected in this LDS.

The LDS does not include a timetable for the preparation of individual neighbourhood plans as the timing and delivery of these are the responsibility of the 'qualifying bodies' which, in Wiltshire, is generally the parish councils. However, the LDS does provide a summary of those plans that have been made and which now form part of the development plan and identifies those that have progressed significantly to at least submission stage at the time of writing (October 2022).