Gateway 1 Self Assessment

How we got ready to prepare a new local plan

We started preparing a new local plan for Wyre Forest District on 31 August 2026.

Government policy says we should adopt the new plan within 30 months of this date. This is to help ensure we have an up-to-date local plan that responds to the needs of the area and our communities.

This page explains what we did to get ready to meet the 30-month timeframe. It also has links to further information and where you can get updates.

We published a timetable for preparing the plan

The timetable shows when we expect to carry out the different stages and activities for preparing a plan. It helps us check if and how we can adopt the plan within the 30-month timeframe. We'll keep this updated as we make more progress.

The timetable provides a detailed and achievable roadmap for adopting the local plan within 30 months. It sets out a logical sequence of activities, consultation stages and decision points, giving confidence that the plan can be delivered on time while allowing for ongoing monitoring and adjustments where necessary.

To help deliver our plan within 30 months, we will:

• Set up a Local Plan Review Panel and hold regular meetings to discuss items and provide updates.
• Give the Director of Housing and Planning delegated authority to make changes to the timetable to help streamline the process and avoid potential delays.
• Use digital consultation and engagement tools, including software to analyse responses efficiently.

Engaging with stakeholders, residents and the Local Plan Review Panel will help ensure a robust and comprehensive plan that reflects the vision and objectives for achieving sustainable development in Wyre Forest, alongside planning for sustainable growth to meet our housing and employment land requirements. We will continue to engage with stakeholders throughout every consultation period and with the Local Plan Review Panel throughout the process.

We established project management and governance arrangements

Preparing a local plan is a complex process. It involves many stakeholders across the council and from other organisations. Thinking early about how the work is planned, managed and signed off helps us monitor our progress and meet set timescales. It also helps us anticipate and manage any risks to adopting the plan within 30 months.

Thinking early about how the work is planned, managed and signed off helps us:

• Check our progress and keep the work on track.
• Anticipate and manage any risks to adopting the plan within 30 months.

The Director of Housing and Planning has delegated authority to make changes to the timetable to help streamline the process and avoid potential delays. Regular policy team meetings throughout the process will ensure work is completed on time and no element falls behind.

Progress has been made in strengthening project management and governance for the local plan. The Local Plan Review Panel (steering group) is now operating effectively, with regular reviews of key decisions and issues. Regular reviews of programme delivery, risk management and resource allocation are helping to keep the plan on track.

The use of government guidance has been essential in the early stages of the process and will continue to assist the planning team until the plan is adopted.

We planned how we'll consult on the plan

Public consultation is essential for the local plan to represent the needs of our communities. It must be easy for people to have their say in a way that works for them, so they can influence how the area develops. By planning this early, we can ensure people are aware in advance and can get involved from the start.

We have undertaken a scoping consultation to gather views on what the plan could contain and how we propose to consult on the plan at key stages.

As part of our scoping report, we have prepared an engagement strategy guided by the following principles:

• Early and proactive engagement – engagement will begin at the earliest stage of plan preparation and continue throughout the process.
• Clarity and transparency – the council will clearly explain the purpose of each stage of consultation, what is being asked and how responses will be used.
• Inclusivity and accessibility – a range of engagement methods will be used to ensure consultations are accessible to all sections of the community.
• Proportionate and targeted engagement – engagement activities will be tailored to different audiences and age groups.

We have also identified who we plan to engage with:

• Local communities, including residents and community groups.
• Businesses and employers operating within the district.
• Developers, landowners and agents.
• Infrastructure providers, including transport, utilities and health bodies.
• Neighbouring authorities and strategic partners.
• Statutory consultees and general consultation bodies.

We intend to use a range of engagement methods, including both digital and in-person activities. Engagement will take place at key stages throughout plan preparation.

We consulted on our engagement strategy as part of the scoping consultation. The strategy can be viewed within the Scoping Report.

We began scoping the content of the plan

Scoping includes considering how well the existing plan is working and gathering baseline information about the area. This helps identify future needs and ambitions. Starting this work early means we can begin preparing the new plan with a clear vision, making it easier to consult on and make decisions about.

We carried out a scoping consultation for six weeks, from 26 May to 7 July 2026. The consultation was intended to:

• Identify the key issues and challenges facing the district.
• Understand what matters most to local communities, businesses and stakeholders.
• Gather information on available evidence and data, and identify any gaps.
• Seek views on the scope and priorities of the Local Plan.
• Understand how stakeholders would like to be consulted throughout the plan-making process.

The consultation included a series of questions for residents, consultees, parish councils and other stakeholders. These responses will help guide preparation of the next Local Plan and the evidence that supports it.

The consultation was supported by a Scoping Report, published on our website to support clarity and transparency.

The consultation was carried out in accordance with the Town and Country Planning (Local Planning) (England) Regulations 2026.

We began a Strategic Environmental Assessment

We are legally required to identify, describe and evaluate any likely significant effects on the environment of:

• Implementing the Local Plan.
• Reasonable alternatives, taking account of the objectives and geographical scope of the plan.

This process will consider how community, national and international environmental protection objectives, along with other environmental challenges, are taken into account in the plan. It will help us predict significant environmental effects and develop ways of preventing, reducing and offsetting them.

It is important that we begin this work early and are transparent about how we are carrying out the assessment when engaging stakeholders and communities.

We have identified relevant plans and programmes and collected baseline information about the area's environment and key designations. For example, we are using the Worcestershire Local Nature Recovery Strategy Local Habitat Map to identify areas of particular importance for biodiversity that may not be suitable for development.

https://gis.worcestershire.gov.uk/website/localnaturerecoverystrategy/Local Habitat Map

We have started working with specialists to identify what our assessment will need to cover and the main objectives it should address.

We are establishing the scope of the Strategic Environmental Assessment and the level of detail required for the draft environmental report.

How to stay up to date

For the latest information on progress of the Local Plan, and to view the timetable, visit our Emerging Local Plan webpage.

This webpage will be updated with documents and evidence relating to the emerging Local Plan as they are published. The timetable will also be reviewed monthly in line with government guidance to ensure it reflects current progress.

We will also publish updates on our social media channels when Local Plan consultations are running.