Emerging local plan
Last updated April 2026
This is the Local Plan Timetable for the district of Wyre Forest, which has been prepared by Wyre Forest District Council in accordance with section 15B of the Planning and Compulsory Purchase Act 2004. The local plan will address all matters that must be covered by a local plan except for waste and minerals, which are the responsibility of Worcestershire County Council.
Wyre Forest District Council does not intend to produce any supplementary plans. It intends to comply with section 15F(1) of the 2004 Act by incorporating a design code within the local plan. The Council does not intend to produce a joint local plan.
Timetable for the preparation of the local plan for Wyre Forest
| Key steps in new Local Plan system | Description | Local Plan timetable | Month in formal process |
|---|---|---|---|
| Publish local plan timetable | The timetable must be kept up-to-date and set out the anticipated and actual dates for key plan-making stages. | April 2026 | |
| Publish notice of intention to commence local plan preparation | Publication of notice which commences a minimum 4‑month notice period so that stakeholders are aware plan-making is beginning. | April 2026 | |
| Scoping consultation | Inviting feedback from stakeholders on how to engage with them and what the plan should contain. | April/May 2026 | |
| Gateway 1: self-assessment of readiness | Publication of a document setting out details of how ready for plan-making the authority is, marking formal commencement of plan-making for the purposes of the 30‑month timeframe. |
August /September 2026 |
1 |
| Consultation: proposed local plan content and evidence | Minimum 6‑week consultation on the proposed local plan content and evidence, including a draft version, not including the outcome of the call for sites. |
Jan-Feb 2027 |
4 - 5 |
| Gateway 2 | Seeking observations and advice from the Planning Inspectorate (PINS) to support early resolution of potential soundness issues and progress towards the ‘prescribed requirements’. |
April 2027 |
9 |
| Consultation: proposed local plan | Minimum 8‑week consultation on the proposed local plan and its supporting documents. |
June/August 2027 |
11 - 13 |
| Gateway 3 | Testing whether the proposed local plan has met the ‘prescribed requirements’ and can proceed to examination. |
March 2028 |
20 |
| Examination | Examination of the local plan against the tests of soundness, as set out in national policy. |
July - December 2028 |
24 - 29 |
| Adoption | Publication of the local plan and adoption statement. | Jan 2029 | 30 |
Call for sites
Call for sites is a key part of a Local Plan review.