North Northamptonshire Local Plan (2024-2045) timetable, April 2026
Matters the Local Plan will deal with
The North Northamptonshire Local Plan will cover the entire administrative area of North Northamptonshire (ONS code E06000061) and provide the strategic framework for development and make allocations for the area. It will provide the strategy for development for the period 2024-2045, with the spatial vision for achieving sustainable growth extending beyond this.
The North Northamptonshire Local Plan will not incorporate all or parts of a Minerals and Waste Plan. A separate Minerals and Waste Plan will be prepared which is expected to cover the administrative areas of North Northamptonshire and West Northamptonshire, the plan being prepared together with the West Northamptonshire planning authority.
The council does not currently intend to prepare any supplementary plans.
Key milestone dates
| Key steps in the new Local Plan system | Brief description of the key steps in the new Local Plan system | Local Plan timetable | Month in formal process |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regulations commence | Legal framework which sets the key steps of the new system. | March 2026 | - |
| Publish local plan timetable | The timetable must be kept up-to-date and set out the anticipated and actual dates for key plan-making stages. | April 2026 | - |
| Publish notice of intention to commence local plan preparation | Publication of notice which commences a minimum 4-month notice period so that stakeholders are aware plan-making is beginning. | April 2026 | - |
| Scoping consultation | Inviting feedback from stakeholders on how to engage with them and what the plan should contain. | May-June 2026 | - |
| Gateway 1 - self assessment of readiness | Publication of a document setting out details of how you have got ready for plan-making, marking formal commencement of plan-making for the purposed of the 30-month timeframe. | August 2026 | 1 |
| Consultation: proposed local plan content and evidence | Minimum 6-week consultation on the proposed local plan content and evidence, including a draft vision. | October-November 2026 | 3-4 |
| Gateway 2 | Seeking observations and advice from PINS to support the early resolution of potential soundness issues and progress towards the ‘prescribed requirements’. | March 2027 | 8 |
| Consultation: proposed local plan | Minimum 8-week consultation on the proposed local plan and its supporting documents. | May-July 2027 | 10-12 |
| Gateway 3 | Testing if the proposed local plan has met the ‘prescribed requirements’ and can proceed to examination. | March 2028 | 20 |
| Examination | Examination of the local plan against the test of soundness, to be set out in national policy. | June-December 2028 | 24-29 |
| Adoption | Publication of the local plan and adoption statement. | January 2029 | 30 |
This timetable takes effect on Monday 27 April 2026.
Last updated 27 April 2026