Emerging Local Plan
The Council is preparing a new Local Plan which will include a new strategy and planning policies to guide and manage growth and change across the borough to 2041, to ensure that local development is built in accordance with the principles of sustainable development.
What is a Local Plan?
The Local Plan is a legal document which the Council are required to prepare following a process set out in legislation and having regard to the National Planning Policy Framework and National Planning Policy Guidance.
The Local Plan is an important legal document which provides an opportunity to:
- shape the places that we live, work and socialise;
- address needs and opportunities in relation to local housing, the local economy, community facilities and infrastructure;
- have a positive impact on the natural and built environment; and
- mitigate and adapt to climate change.
Once adopted, the new Local Plan will replace the current Ashford Local Plan 2030.
Latest news - Our Local Plan Explained summer events
The council is holding a series in person events throughout the summer to provide communities with the opportunity to find out more about how the new Ashford Local Plan will be prepared, what it will cover, what stage are we at, and when we will go out to formal public consultation. There will be eight in person events across the borough and a further two virtual sessions in late August and early September.
View details about the ‘Our Local Plan Explained’ events are available
What is the next stage in the process?
The next stage in the process will involve assessing the suitability, availability and achievability of sites for development submitted as part of the Call for Sites. This will be done through a process known as a Housing & Economic Land Availability Assessment (HELAA).
The work undertaken as part of the HELAA will help to inform the spatial strategy for planned growth within the borough to 2041.
View further information about the HELAA.
What is the Local Plan process?
What is the Local Plan timetable?
The timetable for producing the new Local Plan is set out in our Local Development Scheme.
View the latest Local Plan timetable.
How do I get involved?
We want local people and communities, businesses and other interested parties to be involved and have their say.
To get involved and be kept informed on the progress of the emerging Local Plan please sign up to join the Have Your Say Consultation Portal.
You can see more about how we consult and involve local communities, businesses, and organisation in our Statement of Community Involvement [pdf] 1064KB.
