Local Plan timetable

Hart District Council is preparing a new Local Plan under the revised plan-making system introduced through the Levelling Up and Regeneration Act 2023 and the Town and Country Planning (Local Planning) (England) Regulations 2026.

This document sets out the timetable for preparation of the Hart Local Plan 2044 (the ‘Plan’), in line with the government’s new 30-month local plan process and associated guidance. As well as being published on the Hart District Council website, this timetable will also be available to view at key Council locations, and copies can be made available to members of the public on request.

Once adopted, the Hart Local Plan 2044 will replace:

the Hart Local Plan Strategy and Sites 2032 adopted in April 2020; and
saved policies from the Hart District Local Plan (Replacement) 1996-2006.

What will the new Local Plan cover?

The Hart Local Plan 2044 will apply to the geographical area of Hart District (see Figure 1 below).

It will provide a long-term planning framework from 2026 to 2044, including a vision and strategic priorities for the District, setting out the overall amount and distribution of new development, site allocations and other policies for the determination of planning applications. A Policies Map will accompany the Plan and illustrate geographically where its policies apply.

In April 2028, Hart District Council, along with Basingstoke and Deane and Rushmoor Borough Councils, will be replaced by a single unitary North Hampshire Council. The Hart Local Plan 2044, once adopted, will apply to the current Hart District area, within the larger North Hampshire area, until such time as the North Hampshire Council prepares a new local plan.

Timetable dates

This Local Plan Timetable takes effect from 29 April 2026 and replaces the Local Development Scheme dated September 2025.

Publish notice of intention to commence plan preparation

29 April 2026

Hart District Council published a Notice of intention to commence plan preparation. On the same day, the Council also published this Local Plan Timetable which sets out the key stages of the process and explains when and how residents, stakeholders and other interested parties can get involved.

Scoping consultation

27 May 2026 – 19 June 2026

An early consultation will take place to seek views from stakeholders on the scope of the Plan and how they wish to be engaged during the plan-making process. This is a public consultation; any individual or organisation can submit comments.

A summary of the consultation and responses received will be published following this stage.

Gateway 1

30 September 2026

Hart District Council will publish the Gateway 1 self-assessment summary demonstrating readiness to prepare a sound Local Plan. This milestone formally marks the start of the 30-month plan preparation period.

Consultation on proposed plan content and evidence

19 October 2026 – 30 November 2026

This is the first formal consultation during the 30-month plan preparation period. Views will be sought on the Plan’s draft vision, proposed spatial strategy and a summary of evidence gathered to date. The consultation will last for six weeks, after which a summary of the consultation and of responses received will be published.

Gateway 2

30 June 2027 – 30 July 2027

Hart District Council will meet with the Planning Inspectorate, where an appointed gateway assessor will review progress on the Plan. The purpose of Gateway 2 is to identify and resolve potential soundness issues early and to ensure that the Plan is on track to meet legal requirements. Once the Gateway 2 assessment is complete, the assessor’s formal report and observations will be published.

Consultation on the proposed plan

3 September 2027 – 29 October 2027

This is the second and final formal consultation during the 30-month plan preparation period and is a consultation on the full draft plan and policies map. The consultation will last for eight weeks, after which a summary of the consultation and of responses received will be published.

Gateway 3

3 January 2028 – 29 February 2028

Gateway 3 is the final assessment stage by the Planning Inspectorate before the Plan can be submitted for examination. The gateway assessor will decide whether the Plan is ready for submission, based on prescribed requirements on legal compliance and the completeness of the submission documents. Following the assessment, the assessor’s report, submitted documents and a Gateway 3 completion statement will be published.

Plan submission

31 March 2028

Subject to passing Gateway 3, the Plan and all supporting evidence will be formally submitted to the Secretary of State for independent examination.

Plan examination

31 March 2028 – 31 August 2028

An Independent Inspector, appointed by the Secretary of State, will examine the Plan to determine whether it is sound and compliant with national planning policy.

Plan adoption

31 October 2028

The Plan will be considered for adoption by the future North Hampshire Council which will be vested on 1 April 2028. Once adopted, the Plan will form part of the statutory Development Plan for the new North Hampshire area.

The timetable will be kept under review and updated as necessary throughout the plan-making process.

Further information including neighbourhood plans, supplementary planning documents and other planning policy matters is available on our planning policy pages.