The government has provided advanced notice of its fundamental overhaul of the local plan-making system in England, arising from the Levelling Up and Regeneration Act 2023. signalling a move towards a faster, more streamlined, and transparent planning process. The changes, confirmed in late November 2025, will have significant implications for landowners, developers, and communities alike. At Chapman Lily Planning, we are here to guide you through what these changes mean for your projects.
A Faster, More Efficient System
The reforms are designed to accelerate the delivery of up-to-date local plans across the country. The government is replacing the often lengthy and complex existing process with a new framework intended to deliver plans within a 30-month timeframe. This accelerated process is built around a new three-stage “Gateway” system, which provides checkpoints to ensure plans are on track and sound from an early stage.
Key Changes at a Glance
- 30-Month Timeframe: A new, faster process for preparing and adopting local plans.
- Gateway System: Three key checkpoints (Readiness Assessment, Early Soundness Check, and Pre-Examination Check) to ensure plans are robust and deliverable.
- End of the Duty to Cooperate: The legal requirement for local authorities to cooperate on strategic matters has been removed, with a new focus on national policy and strategic planning to address cross-boundary issues.
- Firm Deadlines: The government has set a final deadline of December 31, 2026, for plans to be submitted for examination under the current system, ensuring a clear transition to the new framework.
What This Means for You
The new system will require a more front-loaded approach to engagement. With a compressed timeframe, the early stages of plan-making will be more critical than ever in shaping the policies that will guide development in your area. The removal of the Duty to Cooperate also introduces new dynamics to strategic planning that will need to be carefully navigated.
For our clients, this means that early and proactive engagement will be key to success. Identifying opportunities and risks at the outset of the new plan-making process will be essential to achieving your development aspirations.
How We Can Help
The team at Chapman Lily Planning is already analysing the full detail of these reforms and what they mean for our clients. We are ready to help you navigate this new planning landscape, from monitoring local authority timetables to developing effective engagement strategies.
If you would like to discuss how these changes may affect your interests or require further information on how Chapman Lily Planning can help, please give us a call on 01929 553818 or email in at contact@clplanning.co.uk.
