1. Get ready phase

Notice of Intent to Commence Local Plan Preparation – January 2027. OPDC publishes this notice to give communities and stakeholders advanced notice of when plan-making will formally commence at the start of the 30-month plan preparation phase.

Scoping consultation – February to March 2027. OPDC invites comments from communities and stakeholders on what the Local Plan should contain and how future engagement on the plan should be carried out.

2. Plan preparation phase

Gateway 1 self-assessment summary publication and start of 30-month plan preparation period – June 2027. OPDC publishes the Gateway 1 self-assessment summary. It’s at this point the 30-month plan preparation period starts.

Consultation 1 – November to December 2027. OPDC consults on a proposed vision, outcomes, aims, objectives, summary of proposed approach to policies and site allocations, summary of evidence base and any other appropriate supporting information.

Gateway 2 – advice publication – November 2028. OPDC publishes the Gateway 2 assessor’s observations and advice. Gateway 2 involves OPDC seeking observations and advice from the Planning Inspectorate in relation to progressing towards preparing a sound Local Plan, meeting some of the Gateway 3 requirements and what further work could be carried out.

Consultation 2 – December 2028 to January 2029. OPDC consults on the proposed Local Plan submission documents including the proposed Local Plan, map of proposed policies, conformity with the London Plan, details of evidence, details of the scoping and consultation 1 including a summary of the main issues raised and how main issues have been addressed.

Gateway 3 – May 2029. OPDC publishes the Gateway 3 assessor’s observations and advice. Gateway 3 involves OPDC seeking observations and advice from the Planning Inspectorate in relation to meeting legal requirements (to be defined).

3. Submission and examination phase

Submission – June 2029. OPDC submits the Local Plan and related documents to the Planning Inspectorate for Examination.

Examination – July to November 2029. The Planning Inspectorate appoints independent Examiner(s) to examine the Local Plan. This may involve public hearings.

Adoption – December 2029. OPDC’s Board considers adoption of the Local Plan to OPDC’s ‘development plan’ for the area.

The timetables show different milestones for the Local Plan Review and the West London Waste Plan. This is because the West London Waste Plan is being developed under the old plan making system and the Local Plan Review will be developed under the new plan making system.