Scoping Report - Wyre Forest Local Plan
1. Introduction
1.1 Wyre Forest District Council are starting work on a new local plan to shape growth within the district for the next 20 years. The plan will broadly cover a range of factors including:
- Where development happens
- What gets built
- How we protect and enhance the environment
- Infrastructure needed to support growth
What is the Scoping Consultation?
1.2 Before we begin preparing the plan in detail, we are undertaking a scoping consultation.
This scoping consultation is the first stage of engagement in preparing a new Local Plan for Wyre Forest District Council.
1.3 At this stage, the council is not consulting on draft policies, site allocations, or development options. Instead, the purpose of the consultation is to inform the early foundations of the local plan, by seeking views on the scope, content, and evidence that underpins it.
Purpose of the consultation
1.4 The scoping consultation is 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 highlight 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.
What this consultation does not do
1.5 At this stage, the council is not:
- Proposing development sites for future housing, employment or other growth
- Presenting or testing spatial strategy options
- Consulting on draft policies or allocations
- Asking respondents to choose between alternative development approaches
1.6 These matters will be considered at later stages of plan preparation, once the evidence base has been developed and the council has reached an initial view on the direction of the plan.
Role in the plan making process
1.7 In light of The Town and Country Planning (Local Planning) (England) Regulations 2026, the Council agreed a Local Plan timetable on 8 April 2026 and the Notice of Intention to commence local plan preparation has been submitted to the Government. The scoping consultation takes place before the Council reaches Gateway 1 which initiates the 30-month local plan making process. Responses received will be used to refine the scope of the Local Plan, inform the preparation of the evidence base, and shape the council’s approach to consultation and engagement.
1.8 This will support the council in progressing through the next stage of plan-making, including the Gateway 1 assessment, which considers whether there is sufficient evidence and early engagement in place to begin preparing the plan.
How to comment
1.9 Comments on this scoping consultation are invited from all interested parties. Responses to the consultation can be made via the following options:
Online – complete the questionnaire on Survey Monkey- this is the easiest and most efficient way to make your representations.
Representation Form – available in hard copy at Wyre Forest House, Finepoint Way, Kidderminster, DY11 7WF between the hours of 9am – 5pm Monday to Friday. Completed representation forms can be returned:
- By email to policy@wyreforestdc.gov.uk
- By post to the Planning Policy Team, Wyre Forest District Council, Wyre Forest House, Finepoint Way, Kidderminster, DY11 7WF
1.10 The scoping consultation will run for 6 weeks from the 26 May 2026 and representations must be received by 5pm on Tuesday 7 July 2026.
2. Current Local Plan and the need for review
2.1 The Development plan for the district is currently the Wyre Forest Local Plan (2016 – 2036), which was formally adopted by the council in April 2022.
2.2 The Local Plan sets out a vision and framework for the future development of the area and sets out the following:
- The overall strategy for growth
- The amount and location of housing and employment development
- Policies for protecting the natural and built environment
- Infrastructure requirements to support development.
2.3 The local plan is used as the starting point for determining planning applications and plays a key role in shaping sustainable development across the district.
Why the Local Plan is being reviewed
2.4 National planning policy requires Local Plans to be kept up to date. In particular, Government policy expects plans to be reviewed at least every five years from adoption to ensure they remain effective and consistent with national guidance and when the applicable local housing need figure is expected to change significantly in the near future.
2.5 As the current local plan was adopted in April 2022, it will reach fives years old in April 2027. At this point the plan will no longer be considered recently adopted and updated national policy requirements including the standard method for assessing housing need, will apply in full. This means that a new housing requirement of a minimum of 584 homes per year will apply, which will need to be effectively planned for within a new local plan. The housing delivery in Wyre Forest District will support the Government’s objective of significantly boosting the housing supply and delivery.
2.6 The new Local Plan will replace the existing adopted policies set out in the current Adopted Local Plan. The Plan will include policies that address the strategic priorities for the area. Policies will cover a diverse range of topics including climate change, housing, economy, infrastructure, biodiversity, and transport. The Plan will not cover minerals and waste planning as the Worcestershire County Council’s considers and determines these matters.
Changes to national plan-making guidance
2.7 The Government has introduced reforms to the plan-making system through updated national policy and guidance, including the National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF) 2024 and associated planning practice guidance.
2.8 A key element of these reforms is the introduction of a streamlined 30-month timetable for preparing local plans, which came into effect in March 2026. Under this new approach:
- Plans are expected to be prepared more quickly
- Early engagement and evidence gathering are required before formal plan preparation begins.
- The process includes key ‘gateway’ checks to ensure plans are on track.
2.9 Further information about the 30 month plan-making timetable can be found here
Moving into a new Local Plan
2.10 In light of these changes, Wyre Forest District Council is now beginning work on a new local plan. This new plan will:
- Review and update existing policies and site allocations
- Extend the plan period beyond 2036
- Identify sufficient land to meet future housing and employment needs
- Ensure alignment with the latest national policy and guidance.
3. Scope of the Local Plan Review
3.1 The new Local Plan will provide a comprehensive and up to date framework for guiding development in the district. It will review and update the existing Local Plan in full, ensuring that planning policies remain effective, consistent with national policy, and responsive to local needs and circumstances.
3.2 The scope of the local plan review is expected to include:
- The spatial strategy for the district, including the overall approach to the distribution of development
- The level of development required, including housing and employment needs
- Site allocations, identifying land to meet development needs over the plan period
- Development management policies, used in determining planning applications
- Infrastructure requirements, including transport, education, health and utilities
- Environmental policies, covering climate change, flood risk, biodiversity, and the natural environment
- Design and placemaking, including the quality and character of development
- Town centres and economic development, supporting regeneration and growth
3.3 The local plan will also extend the plan period beyond the current end date of 2036, reflect the latest national policy and guidance, and be supported by a proportionate, robust and updated evidence base.
What the scope means at this stage
3.4 At this early stage, the scope sets out the topics and areas the Local Plan will cover, rather than specific proposals or decisions. The purpose of this scoping consultation is to seek views to refine the scope of the Local Plan, inform the preparation of the evidence base, and shape the council’s approach to consultation and engagement.
3.5 Detailed policies, site allocations, and development options will be prepared and consulted on at later stages of the plan-making process.
4. Our Engagement Strategy
4.1 Effective and inclusive engagement is central to preparing a sound local plan. The council is committed to undertaking early, meaningful and proportionate engagement with communities, businesses and stakeholders throughout the plan-making process.
4.2 This approach is informed by the latest Government guidance on plan-making, including the ‘Engaging the public when preparing a local plan’, which emphasises the importance of early engagement, transparency and using a range of methods to reach a diverse audience.
Principles of engagement
4.3 The council’s engagement strategy will be guided by the following principles.
- Early and proactive engagement – engagement will begin at the earlies stage of plan preparation and continue throughout the process, ensuring that local communities and stakeholders can help shape the plan from the outset.
- 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. Feedback summaries will be published to demonstrate how views have influenced the plan.
- Inclusivity and accessibility – A range of engagement methods will be used to ensure that consultations are accessible to all sections of the community, including those who may be less likely to engage in traditional consultation methods.
- Proportionate and targeted engagement – Engagement activities will be tailored to different audiences, recognising that different groups or age ranges may require different approaches to be able to effectively participate.
Who we will engage
4.4 In accordance will national guidance and relevant regulations, the council will 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.
4.5 At the scoping stage, consultation will focus on inviting views from general and specific consultation bodies and stakeholders considered appropriate, while allowing any interested party to respond to any matters they feel they are able to offer input.
Methods of Engagement
4.6 The council will use a mix of digital and in-person engagement methods throughout the local plan review consultations to maximise participation and ensure inclusivity.
Digital engagement
4.7 Digital tools help reach a wider audience, improve accessibility, and make it easier to gather and analyse feedback.
- Online consultation platform and surveys
- Dedicated Local Plan webpages including a local plan timetable (reviewed monthly so people are kept up to date and understand the timescales involved)
- Social Media and digital communications
- Interactive mapping and visual tools where appropriate.
In person engagement
4.8 In-person engagement allows for more detailed discussions and can help reach those who may not engage digitally.
- Public exhibitions and drop-in events
- Workshops and stakeholder meetings
- Targeted sessions with specific groups
- Handout of business cards with QR codes linking to consultations in public spaces to promote active consultations
Supporting Inclusive Engagement
4.9 To ensure fairness and accessibility, the council will:
- Provide information in clear and accessible formats
- Offer non-digital ways to participate
- Target engagement towards underrepresented groups
A staged approach to engagement
4.10 Engagement will be undertaken at key stages of plan preparation, including:
- Scoping consultation (this stage)
Seeking views on the scope of the plan, key issues and how people wish to be engaged.
- Consultation on proposed plan content and evidence
Seeking views on emerging vision, objectives and early strategy
- Consultation on the proposed Local Plan
Formal consultation on the draft plan prior to submission
4.11 Each stage will build on previous engagement, ensuring that feedback is taken into account as the plan evolves.
Monitoring and feedback
4.12 The council will maintain a transparent approach to engagement by:
- Publishing summaries of consultation responses
- Explaining how feedback has been considered
- Updating the engagement strategy where necessary
4.13 This will help to build trust and ensure the Local Plan is informed by a broad and representative range of views.