Draft Local Plan for Buckinghamshire Consultation Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
What is a Local Plan?
A Local Plan sets out the planning policies and proposals for the development and use of land within a specific local authority area. It provides a framework for future development, including housing, employment, infrastructure and environmental protection. A Local Plan must look ahead at least fifteen years.
Government guidance on creating a Local Plan can be found here:
www.gov.uk/government/collections/create-or-update-a-local-plan
Does Buckinghamshire already have a Local Plan?
This will be the first Local Plan for Buckinghamshire. Each former legacy area has an adopted local plan which, the Local Plan for Buckinghamshire will replace once it is adopted. The legacy local plans can be found here: Local development plans | Buckinghamshire Council
Why consult on a Local Plan?
It is a legal requirement to consult throughout the Local Plan process. Local Plans are prepared in consultation with local communities and other stakeholders.
What has the Council done before this point?
This Draft Local Plan for Buckinghamshire consultation is the third formal opportunity for residents to get involved in the Local Plan process. We have already undertaken an attitudes survey and draft vision and objectives consultation. During the attitudes survey you told us what is important to you. We have also engaged with specific groups, including Town and Parish councils on current and anticipated future infrastructure requirements. After considering your feedback, the vision and objectives have now been finalised and underpin this next stage of consultation for the draft Local Plan. The updated version of the Vision and Objectives can be found here www.buckinghamshire.gov.uk/draft-local-plan.
What is the Draft Local Plan for Buckinghamshire Regulation 18 consultation?
Regulation 18 is an early stage in the local plan process, also known as the preparation stage. This stage involves consulting on a draft version of the plan which will include the scope and content of the plan.
Is the Council considering a 'brownfield first' approach?
We are committed to our 'Brown Before Green' pledge and want to ensure new developments are sustainable and make the best use of available land. We will maximise the delivery of brownfield sites in Buckinghamshire. Current work indicates a capacity for 1,500-2,500 new homes on brownfield sites in Buckinghamshire.
Is a Green Belt Review being carried out?
Yes, a Green Belt Review is being prepared to identify existing Green Belt parcels and then assess them for performance against the purposes of the Green Belt.
What are Buckinghamshire's development needs?
Buckinghamshire requires approximately 91,000 new homes and a further 45.9 hectares of employment land. There are just over 22,000 homes committed for development from existing local plans, neighbourhood plans and planning permissions. Taking account of currently available employment land supply, the overall level of employment growth needed is 219.4 ha of new land to 2045.
The amount of new development required will need major infrastructure investment to avoid worsening existing issues in areas like transport, education and healthcare.
What sites have you looked at?
We have looked at all the sites submitted to us through the four call for sites consultations with the last call for sites ending in April 2025.
How will you decide which sites are allocated in the Local Plan?
We will assess sites as to whether they are suitable, available and achievable for development.
Site are assessed through the Housing and Economic Land Availability Assessment (HELAA) process. The methodology can be found here: Housing and Economic Land Availability Assessment (HELAA) | Buckinghamshire Council This work is ongoing.
Other evidence studies are needed and will be considered before sites can be proposed to be allocated in the Local Plan?
Why are there no sites or locations of growth shown in this draft Local Plan?
It is not possible to include preferred or proposed site allocations at this stage because further technical studies are required.
Due to the volume of sites received through the four call for sites exercises, officers are still assessing sites for their suitability.
What studies are being published along with the Draft Local Plan consultation?
The studies which have been produced to date are:
- Baseline Transport report
- Baseline Infrastructure study
- Community Facilities study
- Data Protection Impact Assessment
- Employment Land and Retail Study
- Equality Impact Assessment
- Gypsy and Travellers Accommodation Assessment
- Health Impact Assessment
- Health and Wellbeing Study
- Local Housing Needs Assessment
- Net Zero Carbon study
- Habitats Regulations Assessment
- Renewable Energy study
- Settlement Review
- Strategic Environmental Assessment / Sustainability Appraisal
- Strategic Flood Risk Assessment level 1
- Urban Potential Study
- Water Cycle Study Level 1
- Wider sports study
- Statement of Consultation of the Vision & Objectives Consultation
All the studies can be found on our website: www.buckinghamshire.gov.uk/local-plan-evidence
In terms of Gypsy and Travellers sites, what is the difference between a pitch or a plot?
There is no set definition of a pitch or a plot but in general terms a pitch or plot is an area of land on a site or development generally home to one household. They can vary in sizes and have varying caravan numbers. Pitches refer to Gypsy and Traveller sites and Plots to Travelling Showpeople yards.
What happens next?
Following this consultation, we will review and consider all the feedback that we receive to help us further shape the development of a full version of the Local Plan. Further evidence will be undertaken, and a draft publication version of the Local Plan will be published for public consultation (anticipated in summer 2026).
How can I have my say on the consultation?
You can submit comments on the draft Local Plan by:
- Completing the online survey at www.buckinghamshire.gov.uk/draft-local-plan
- Complete, and return, a printed version of the survey, emailing us at planningpolicyteam.bc@buckinghamshire.gov.uk
- Write to us at Draft Local Plan Consultation, Planning Policy, Buckinghamshire Council, Walton Street Offices, Walton Street, Aylesbury, HP20 1UA
The consultation will commence on 17 September 2025 and finish at midnight on 29 October 2025 at 23.59pm.
What if I have any questions?
You can contact us via email: planningpolicyteam.bc@buckinghamshire.gov.uk
