On 25th March 2026, new plan-making regulations were brought into effect which introduced new requirements to commence preparation of a Local Plan: The Town and Country Planning (Local Planning) (England) Regulations 2026. Under the new plan-making system, we are required to publish a notice of intention to commence Local Plan preparation and a Local Plan Timetable.
On 11 June, Cabinet resolved to formally commence a local plan under the new plan-making system and the publication of a notice of its intention to commence preparation of a new local plan and a Local Plan Timetable to replace the Local Development Scheme July 2025.
This document sets out our Local Plan Timetable. The purpose of the Local Plan Timetable is to set out key milestones for the preparation of the Local Plan, development plan documents and supplementary plans. It provides a clear, transparent programme for plan preparation and opportunities for communities, stakeholders and decision-makers to get involved and monitor progress.
A Local Plan Timetable has been set out in this document for the Dudley Borough Local Plan. This will be kept under review as the new Dudley Borough Local Plan and other Local Plan documents progress.
This timetable came into effect on 29 June 2026.
Local Plan Timetable
The Dudley Borough Local Plan will set out a spatial planning and policy framework for the whole of Dudley borough up to 2045. It will include a long-term vision and strategic objectives, a spatial strategy, policy framework to deliver the strategy. The Dudley Borough Local Plan will incorporate a Minerals and Waste Plan.
Timetable key
The timetable colours correspond to the following colours:
- Formal stage
- Consultation
- Evidence gathering and drafting Local Plan
- Submission and examination
- Adoption
| Ref / Timeframe | Stage | What happens |
|---|---|---|
| Get Ready / Jun 2026 | Notice of Intention to Commence Plan Making (Regulation 19) | Seek approval to commence new Local Plan preparation. Publish notification to commence. |
| Get Ready / Jul – Sep 2026 (8 weeks) | Scoping Consultation (Regulation 20) | Seeking views on scope of plan and detailing the plan preparation process. |
| Jul – Sep 2026 | Call for Sites | Invitation to landowners, developers, and the public to suggest land for potential development, such as housing or commercial projects. |
| Get Ready / Oct 2026 | Gateway 1: self-assessment of readiness for plan preparation (Regulation 21) | Council undertakes a self-assessment of its readiness to start the 30-month plan preparation process. |
Months 1-23
| Ref / Timeframe | Stage | What happens |
|---|---|---|
| Prepare the Plan / Nov 2026 - Jun 2027 | Prepare draft Vision and Spatial Strategy feeding in emerging evidence. | Site Assessment and initial plan preparation. |
| Prepare the Plan / Jul – Sep 2027 | Public consultation (Regulation 23) - Content and Evidence | Proposed Vision and Spatial Strategy. Initial policies and draft site allocations. |
| Prepare the Plan / Oct 2027 | Gateway 2: Independent Review-observations and advice (Regulation 26) | Planning Inspectorate to support early resolution of any potential ‘soundness’ issues and progress towards meeting Gateway 3 requirements |
| Prepare the Plan / Jun – Aug 2028 | Public consultation – Proposed Local Plan (Regulation 27) |
Seeking views on proposed Plan – ready for publication before submission. |
| Prepare the Plan / Sep 2028 | Gateway 3: stop or go-prescribed requirements assessment (Regulation 31) | Planning Inspectorate to decide whether the draft Local Plan meets prescribed requirements and ready to be submitted for examination. |
Months 24-29
| Ref / Timeframe | Stage | What happens |
|---|---|---|
| Examination / Oct 2028 | Submission (Regulation 34) | Formal submission of the draft Local Plan for examination. Triggers start of the examination. |
| Examination / Nov – Mar 2029 | Examination (Regulation 35) |
Planning Inspectorate assesses whether the draft Local Plan is legally compliant & sound – meets the tests of soundness in national planning policy. |
Month 30
| Ref / Timeframe | Stage | What happens |
|---|---|---|
| Adoption / Apr 2029 | Adoption (Regulation 39) |
Subject to conclusions of the examination and decision of full Council. Adoption brings the new Local Plan into effect. |
Spatial Development Strategy
Alongside the new local plan-making system, the Planning and Infrastructure Act (2025) introduced a new level of plan-making known as Spatial Development Strategies (SDSs). These are strategic plans prepared at a sub-regional level, sitting above individual local authority Local Plans and providing a broader framework to guide development across wider areas. In the West Midlands, the West Midlands Combined Authority (WMCA) is responsible for preparing the SDS and will lead its preparation in co-development with the constituent local authorities .
Dudley Council, alongside the other constituent local authorities is working in collaboration with the West Midlands Combined Authority (WMCA) to provide a West Midlands Spatial Development Strategy. While the full scope and detail of SDSs are still emerging through national legislation and guidance, a key principle is that they will set the overall direction for growth across the area, including strategic priorities and policies.
The Dudley Borough Local Plan will need to be prepared in general conformity with the emerging SDS. This means the Council will continue to work closely and consult with the WMCA throughout its preparation to ensure its conformity with the wider strategic approach for the region.
Dudley Borough Local Plan Data
The following datasets have been published under the Open Government Licence and contain Local Plan information and the New Dudley Borough Local Plan timetable data.