Local Plan Timetable
Timetable for preparing the Great Yarmouth Local Plan
The government has published legislation and guidance that requires all local authorities to adjust the way they prepare Local Plans. This means we've had to review and replace our original plan-making timetable (known as the Local Development Scheme) to ensure that we meet the new legal requirements.
Below is the current timetable for preparing the new Local Plan for the borough, called Great Yarmouth 2045.
Please note that where precise dates are currently unknown, the 1st of the month is set out - specific dates will be added once known through future updates to the Timetable.
| Date | Local Plan Stage | Description |
|---|---|---|
| 30 June 2026 | Publish Notice of Intention to Commence and timetable | Publish Local Plan Timetable in accordance with the new plan-making regulations and Government template. The Local Plan Timetable will be reviewed once a month and updated and re-published if necessary. Publication of the Notice of Intention to Commence Local Plan Preparation. |
| 17 August 2026 | Start date for Local Plan Scoping Consultation & Call for Sites | A Local Plan Scoping Consultation will be undertaken for a period of at least 6 weeks. Between August and September 2026. This consultation will invite views on what the new plan should include and how future Local Plan consultations should be undertaken. The Council will also issue a Call for Sites in parallel with the Scoping Consultation. The Call for Sites will invite stakeholders, including developers, landowners, public bodies and the general public to proposed land they think is right for development. Such sites will be assessed as part of the local plan preparation process. |
| 27 September 2026 | Date when representations on the Local Plan Scoping consultation and Call for Sites must be received | All comments (representations) on the Scoping consultation and Call for Sites must be received on or before the specified date. |
| 30 October 2026 | Gateway 1: Publication of self-assessment summary | This new requirement is a self-assessment summary confirming that the Council has published the timetable and notice, completed the scoping consultation and has a project plan in place to begin the formal stage of preparing the Local Plan. Publication of the self-assessment summary will confirm that Gateway 1 has been passed and will allow the Council to move into the statutory 30-month Local Plan preparation timetable. |
| 1 April 2027 | Start date for consultation on the proposed Local Plan Content and Evidence | Consultation for a period of at least six weeks on the proposed Local Plan content and evidence, including proposed vision, aims and measurable objections, the proposed spatial strategy and a summary of the policy topics the plan will cover. The consultation will also provide a summary of the evidence that the Council intends to gather and evidence already gathered. Date that notice will be published. |
| 1 May 2028 | Date when representations on the proposed Local Plan Content and Evidence consultation must be received | All comments (representations) on the proposed Local Plan Content and Evidence consultation must be received on or before the specified date. |
| 1 September 2027 - 1 October 2027 | Gateway 2 | This new requirement is a formal method of obtaining feedback from a planning inspector on the emerging approach of our draft local plan and supporting evidence. This will ensure our approach aligns with national policy, guidance and legislation and demonstrates a preferred strategy, spatial approach and emerging planning policies before proceeding to the next stages. Gateway 2 will take between four to six weeks. |
| 1 April 2028 | Start date for Proposed Local Plan consultation | Consultation for at least eight weeks on the Proposed Local Plan and supporting documents. This consultation will present the full draft plan, including, but not limited to:
Date that notice will be published. |
| 1 May 2028 | Date when representations on the Proposed Local Plan consultation must be received. | All comments (representations) on the Proposed Local Plan consultation must be received on or before this date. |
| 1 September 2028 - 1 October 2028 | Gateway 3 | This new requirement is a final check by an external assessor to confirm the Local Plan meets planning regulations and the tests of soundness, before formally submitting it for Examination. The assessor must provide their conclusions in writing on whether each prescribed requirement has been met, together with a clear explanation for each conclusion. Gateway 3 will take between four to six weeks. |
| 1 October 2028 | Submission of Local Plan for Examination | Submission of Local Plan for Examination. |
| 1 October 2028 - 1 March 2029 | Examination | Examination of the Local Plan against the tests of soundness set out in national policy. The examination should last no longer than six months. |
| 1 April 2029 | Adoption | Adoption of the Local Plan. |
The matters that the Local Plan will deal with
The Local Plan will be a comprehensive Local Plan covering the period 2026 - 2045 and will replace the current emerging Great Yarmouth Local Plan 2024 - 2042 (which is anticipated to be adopted in September 2026). The Local Plan will include a vision, objectives, policies and site allocations. The Local Plan will not cover minerals and waste, as Norfolk County Council is the planning authority for these matters.
The geographical area to which the plan will relate
The Local Plan will cover the administrative borough of Great Yarmouth outside of the Broads Authority Executive Area. The area is shown on the map. The Local Plan is not being prepared as a joint Local Plan.
[Insert map below]
Any Supplementary Plans to be prepared
There are no current confirmed plans to prepare any Supplementary Plans or any joint Supplementary Plans.
