Test Valley Local Plan will determine future developments.

Test Valley Borough Council Local Plan

A new draft Local Plan for the period to 2040 is open for consultation for eight weeks, until 2 April 2024, following its approval at January’s full Council meeting

The emerging Local Plan will govern Test Valley’s future growth. It lays forth planning policies aimed at meeting the needs of local communities. The Local Plan addresses several topics, including the type and quantity of housing allocations, land needed for employment uses, and town centre policies, whilst simultaneously mitigating the effects of climate change, plus conserving and improving the local environment and heritage.

The draft Local Plan is produced by Test Valley Borough Council in its role as the local planning authority and must follow national guidance. An emerging Local Plan goes through several statutory stages of preparation which includes public consultation before it is examined. If found to be sound by an independent Inspector, it can be adopted by the Council. Upon adoption it will replace the current Test Valley Revised Local Plan 2011-2029 which was adopted in January 2016

Why does it matter?

Local plans are significant because they influence future developments in local communities including such matters as densities, mix, landscaping, and the parking arrangement for new development.  The local plan will also determine where new residential developments are located around the borough. If you and your community are seeking to influence the future of Test Valley, the Local Plan is the place to start, and we can provide advice on how you can influence it.

How far along are we with the preparations?

Every local plan needs to align with the national policy that the government formulates. This comprises of what a local plan must accomplish, such as determining the quantity of new dwellings and the amount of land required for employment. Three public consultation phases have already been completed: Issues and Options Consultation (2018), Refined Issues and Options Consultation (2020), and Stage 1 of Regulation 18 (2022). The current preparation stage is the Regulation 18 Stage 2 document, which contains draft detailed policies and allocations.

Test Valley are consulting on the draft Local Plan 2040 Regulation 18 Stage 2 between Tuesday 6 February and noon on Tuesday 2 April.

If you believe you have any land which can be developed, please call our Head of Planning,

Cliff Lane 07812 965368

c.lane@w-w.co.uk