Journey to the new Adur Local Plan
See also:
Interim update - Autumn 2025
Adur District Council has started work on preparing a new Adur local plan, which will provide a long-term vision for the area over a period of 15 years. The new plan will provide the strategy for the growth of the local plan area, setting out what development will take place and where. It will set out a vision for the area that helps to establish the long-term aims and aspirations. The vision will be translated into objectives and policies which will deal with issues such as housing, the economy, the environment and infrastructure.
Once adopted, the new plan will replace the existing Adur Local Plan which was adopted in 2017 and will be an important consideration in deciding planning applications. It is anticipated that the new Adur Local Plan will be adopted by the successor authority after local government reorganisation in Sussex.
Although work on the emerging Adur Local Plan has commenced, the latest Local Development Scheme for Adur indicates that the Plan will be progressed under the new national planning system introduced by the Levelling Up and Regeneration Act 2023. The government has not yet published the regulations for this new system. It is expected that these will be published in 2026.
The government has also committed to producing National Development Management policies. These are intended to provide national consistency on key planning issues, simplify the planning system by reducing duplication, and speed up decision-making by providing a standardized baseline for development standards, such as on housing, economic growth, and environmental matters. This will mean that local plans focus on specifically local matters. These have not yet been produced. Certain policy issues potentially including matters raised in the Key Issues Consultation may fall within the scope of these national policies.
About the Adur Local Plan update
The adopted Adur Local Plan 2017 contains a commitment to review within five years, and the government now requires local authorities to have up-to-date plans in place in due course. As such, an update of the Local Plan is being undertaken to ensure it remains relevant and addresses Adur's needs for development and infrastructure.
A Local Plan sets out our strategic planning strategy. It shows how we aim to meet the social, economic and environmental needs of the area.
If you would like to be kept informed on progress with the local plan, and receive the Adur Planning Policy Newsletter, please send your contact details to:
You can read our latest newsletter below:
How is a Local Plan made?
Below is a short description of each stage in the Local Plan making process.
1. Evidence gathering
We prepare the preferred strategy by gathering evidence on the following topics:
- Housing needs
- Employment needs
- Gypsy & traveller needs
- Infrastructure delivery
- Transport assessment
- Landscape capacity
- Site assessment
- Flood risk assessment
- Strategic viability assessment
- Sustainability appraisal / Strategic environmental assessment (SA/SEA)
2. Developing a draft Plan (Regulation 18)
A draft Local Plan will consider a wide range of key topics and issues facing the relevant area (such as homes and jobs needed in the area; the provision of retail, leisure and commercial development; the provision of infrastructure, community facilities and protecting the environment etc) as well as identifying possible options to address identified key issues.
Regulation 18 of the Town and Country Planning (Local Planning) Regulations 2012 requires that various bodies and stakeholders be notified that the council is preparing a plan. It invites them to comment about what that plan ought to contain.
3. Proposed Submission (Regulation 19 and 20)
This is when we publish the Local Plan and give the opportunity for stakeholders to make formal representation in relation to the Tests of Soundness. Under Regulation 20, consultation is six weeks.
4. Submission to Secretary of State (Regulation 22)
The Local Plan and the formal representations are formally sent to the Secretary of State - The Planning Inspectorate or 'PINs'.
5. Examination (Regulation 23 to 25)
An Independent Examiner is appointed by the Planning Inspectorate to test the plan.
6. Adoption (Regulation 26)
If the plan is successful at Examination it can be formally adopted by the council and used to determine planning applications.
Government plans for new Local Plans
The government has recently consulted on proposed changes to the Local Plan making process, including simplifying the role of Local Plans. Until further notice, local authorities continue to operate under the current system in producing their Local Plans.
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Page last updated: 16 October 2025