The Local Plan - timeline

Stage One of the process was carried out in June 2017 with an Issues and Options consultation, in which we invited you to complete a questionnaire regarding the overall development strategy and possible development locations. These responses were used to help draft our Preferred Approach Plan.

For The Local Plan Review, the preferred approach is the second stage of the process. It sets out the proposed development strategy and policies for the area to meet future needs. We invited you to make comments on our preferred approach between December 2018 and February 2019. These responses, along with the further evidence we have gathered, have been used to help draft a revised version of the plan.

Between 3 February and 17 March 2023, we invited you to comment on three specific questions or tests in relation to the Proposed Submission Local Plan - legal compliance, soundness and compliance with the Duty to Cooperate. Your comments have been submitted, alongside the Local Plan, to the Planning Inspectorate for their independent examination. The Plan includes modifications we are proposing in response to your representations.

Inspectors were appointed in May 2025 to hold an independent examination. The purpose of the Examination is to determine whether the Inspector considers the submitted Plan to be "sound" in terms of national policy requirements, and compliant with the relevant legislation. The Examination process involves public hearings conducted by the Inspector, with relevant parties invited to attend to give oral evidence on a range of matters specified by the Inspector. Examination hearings took place between 1 October and 13 November 2025.  Changes to the plan required as a result of the hearing sessions are called 'main modifications' and required a public consultation. The Main Modifications consultation took place between 10 April and 29 May 2025. The representations to the consultation alongside responses from officers where necessary were provided to the Inspectors. After reviewing the responses, the Inspectors issued a final report confirming that the plan, with the recommended modifications, is sound, legally compliant, and ready for adoption.

The Local Plan examination - submission documents and evidence base

The Local Plan examination - post-submission documents

The Local Plan examination - hearing sessions and statements

The Local Plan examination - main modifications consultation

Following approval at a Full Council meeting on Tuesday 19 August, the council adopted the submitted Chichester Local Plan 2021 - 2039 (January 2023) as amended to include all the Main Modifications recommended by the Inspectors to make the plan 'sound', together with other consequential and minor amendments as Additional Modifications.