Local Plan Timetable

The government has published guidance that requires local planning authorities to adjust the way they prepare Local Plans. This means we’ve had to review and replace our previous plan making timetable (known as the Local Development Scheme) to ensure we meet the new legal requirements. 

The timetable below sets out key steps that will be taken to produce our new Local Plan, as well as the engagement opportunities that the community and stakeholders can get involved with. 

This timetable will be updated as the plan progresses to ensure it remains accurate and up to date.

Date updated: 11 June 2026

Local Plan timetable showing key milestones

 

 

Reg 4 ReferencePlan ActivityDate
(a)Publish Notice of Intention to Commence11 June 2026
(b)Scoping consultation11 June 2026 
(c)Scoping consultation close10 July 2026
(d)Gateway 1 - Self-assessment15 October 2026
 Publish 'summary of scoping consultation'19 February 2027
(e)Consultation on plan content and evidence22 February 2027
(f)Consultation on plan content and evidence close5 April 2027
 Publish 'summary of plan content and evidence consultation' 
(g)Gateway 2 - Seek advise from Planning Inspectorate1 November 2027
 Publish results of Gateway 2 
(h)Consultation on the proposed Local Plan21 February 2028
(i)Consultation on the proposed Local Plan close17 April 2028
 Publish 'summary of consultation on the proposed Local Plan' 
(j)Gateway 3 - Prepare for examination24 July 2028
 Publish results of Gateway 3 
(k)Submission of proposed Local Plan to Secretary of State for independent examination2 October 2028
 Independent examination period (anticipated to take up to 5 months)October 2028
(j)Expected date of adoption of Local Plan2 April 2029

The dates included in the timetable are indicative and may be affected by a range of factors outside the Council’s control. For example, it is not possible at the outset to predict either the volume or the nature of representations received during consultation stages. In addition, certain elements of the process, such as the availability of external examiners, are not within the Council’s control and may affect progress against the timetable.

Hertfordshire is also undergoing local government reorganisation during the preparation of the East Herts Local Plan. This may affect the programme for plan preparation, as changes to governance arrangements, decision‑making structures and electoral cycles could influence the timing of key decisions and stages in the process. As a result, some elements of the timetable may need to be reviewed as the local government reorganisation progresses.

East Herts Council publishes planning policy data in open, machine-readable formats in accordance with the Levelling-up and Regeneration Act 2023 and data standards published by the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government.

The Plan Timetable as open data can be viewed here.

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