Surrey Heath Borough Council has reached a key stage in preparing its new Local Plan after submitting it for examination in December 2024.
An independent Planning Inspector has since reviewed the plan, including hearing sessions held late last year, and has identified a number of proposed changes, known as Main Modifications, that he considers necessary for the plan to be judged “sound”. These modifications are now the subject of a six-week public consultation.
The consultation is limited only to the proposed Main Modifications and is not an opportunity to comment on other parts of the Local Plan. Residents and other interested parties can submit comments by email or post, and supporting information is available through the Planning Policy Consultation Portal. Hard copies of the relevant documents can also be viewed at the council offices, parish council offices, and local libraries across the borough.
The consultation period runs from 28 May to 9 July 2026. After the consultation closes, all responses will be sent to the Inspector for consideration before he publishes his final report.
If the report is favourable, the Surrey Heath Local Plan 2019–2038 will then be adopted by the council as part of the development plan.
Council spokesperson Cllr Alan Ashbery described the consultation as an important step towards adoption, noting that the plan will help guide development, protect the natural environment, support the local economy, deliver new homes, and encourage more sustainable travel.
Once adopted, it will be used by councillors and planning officers to decide planning applications in the borough.
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