Gateway 1 Self-Assessment

How we got ready to prepare a new local plan 

We started preparing a new Local Plan for Fareham Borough on 26 June 2026 by commencing our formal notice period. This self-assessment was published on 30th October 2026. 

Government policy says we should adopt the new plan within 30 months of issuing this self-assessment. This is to help ensure we have an up-to-date local plan that responds to the needs of the area and our communities. 

This document explains what we did to get ready to meet the 30-month timeframe. It also has links to further information and where you can get updates. 

More information on our Local Plan is available on the Council's website here 

We published a timetable for preparing the plan 

The timetable sets out the main stages of plan-making and shows how we intend to work towards adopting the new Local Plan within the Government's 30-month timeframe. It also gives residents, businesses, landowners and other stakeholders (hereafter collectively referred to as interested parties) a clear overview of what will happen and when they will be able to get involved. 

The timetable includes the key stages where interested parties will be invited to comment on the emerging proposals for the Local Plan as well as the evidence which supports the Plan. It shows that following the initial scoping consultation (August to October 2026), we want to progress at pace to be able to consult again on the proposed plan content, vision and some of our evidence, during summer 2027. This will ensure we share our thinking early on and get interested parties' views to help shape the Plan. We will then have sufficient time to consider responses and to develop the draft plan before the Gateway 2 assessment, approximately half-way through the 30-month period.

The Local Plan timetable is likely to change over the coming 30 months and needs to remain flexible. We will therefore keep the timetable under review and update it on a monthly basis. Any amendments will be clearly identified on the Council's website. This will ensure that all interested parties can easily see the latest position. 

The published timetable can be viewed here 

We established project management and governance arrangements 

Preparing a local plan is a complex process. It involves many people across the council and from other organisations. Thinking early about how the work is planned, managed and signed off helps us monitor our progress and keep the work on track. It also helps us anticipate and manage any risks which might prevent us adopting the plan within 30 months. 

We have developed a Project Initiation Document (594 KB)which is similar to a business plan. It includes what we are trying to achieve, our governance, our timetable, resources, the risks to delivery and how decisions will be made.  

Our Council's constitution and scheme of delegation, determine who makes decisions on the various stages of the new Local Plan. Full Council authority is required to submit the Local Plan for examination and then again to adopt the Local Plan. It is the role of the Executive to recommend the Plan to Full Council to begin the examination process. Where delegated authority is provided to the Director of Planning and Regeneration at key milestones, decisions will be made following consultation with the Executive Member for Planning and Development. Day-to-day decisions on the development of the Local Plan will be made by the Director of Planning and Regeneration and the Head of Planning. 

We planned how we'll consult on the plan 

Public consultation is essential for the local plan to represent the needs of all interested parties. It must be easy for people to have their say in a way that works for them, so they can influence the way the area develops. By planning this early, we can ensure people are aware in advance and can get involved from the start. 

We have undertaken a consultation on a Draft Engagement Strategy setting out how we'll consult, communicate and involve interested parties throughout the preparation of the plan. Once finalised this will be contained in the Project Initiation Document that will be published alongside this self-assessment. 

Our approach will combine ongoing communication, targeted engagement and formal consultation stages. We will continue to use online surveys, the Fareham Local Plan webpages on the Council's website, email updates, e-newsletters and social media to help people stay informed and respond in a way that is convenient for them.  

We will also provide face-to-face opportunities through roadshows, drop-in sessions, workshops and attendance at community and business events where appropriate. 

The Engagement Strategy identifies five objectives: 

1. Inclusive and accessible engagement 

2. Early, evidence-focused engagement 

3. Proportionate, timely consultation  

4. Transparent communication 

5. Stakeholders to be engaged 

This will help us reduce barriers to participation, including lack of time, difficulty understanding technical information, transport or accessibility issues, and concerns that consultation responses may not influence decisions. 

After each formal consultation stage, the Council will publish a summary setting out what engagement took place, the main issues raised and how responses have been considered in the preparation of the Local Plan. This will help ensure that all interested parties can see how their views have influenced the Local Plan development.  

You can find information about upcoming consultation activities on our website and social media channels. 

We began scoping the content of the plan 

Scoping includes considering how well the existing plan is working and gathering baseline information about the area. This helps to identify our future needs and ambitions. Starting this early means we can begin preparing the new plan with a clear vision, making it quicker and easier to consult on the plan and make decisions about it. 

We have begun scoping the content of the Local Plan by drawing together early evidence, undertaking a Scoping Consultation and gathering wider information about the changes likely to affect the Borough over the plan period. This is helping us identify the main issues that the new plan will need to address such as responding to climate change, protecting important habitats and landscapes, planning for infrastructure and services, supporting economic growth, meeting housing needs, and improving transport and accessibility.  

Using the information we have gathered, along with findings from the scoping consultation, our next steps are:  

• To begin drafting a vision for the Borough and identify measurable objectives and outcomes. 
• to gain a fuller understanding of the development requirements for our area and where new development could be located 
• to further develop the evidence that underpins the Local Plan. 

We began a Strategic Environmental Assessment 

We are legally required to assess the likely significant effects of the Local Plan as it is prepared. This means the likely effects on the environment of: 

• implementing the local plan 
• reasonable alternatives, taking into account the plan's objectives and scope 

This process will consider how local, national and international environmental protection objectives and any other environmental challenges are taken into account in the local plan. It will help us to predict significant environmental effects and develop ways of preventing, reducing and offsetting these. 

Starting this work early is important because it helps shape the plan from the outset, rather than assessing decisions after they have already been made. It will help us identify the baseline position, consider key issues, test reasonable alternatives, inform site and policy choices, and explain how environmental considerations have influenced the plan. 

We have begun by identifying the main topics that the assessment will need to consider, including water management, flood risk, biodiversity, landscape, heritage, land use, infrastructure, health and wellbeing, transport, air quality and the efficient use of resources. We have published a Strategic Environmental Assessment Scoping Report which:  

• collates relevant baseline information  
• identifies relevant plans and programmes  

Other ways we are getting ready  

• we have run a 'call for sites' exercise inviting interested parties to submit land to be considered for future uses within the Local Plan. All sites will be subject to a rigorous assessment process and a summary report of the outcomes of that assessment will be produced. 
• we are commissioning evidence studies to help support development of the plan. 

How to stay up to date  

There will be lots of opportunities to help shape Fareham Local Plan 2044 as the plan progresses. We encourage anyone with an interest in the future of the Borough to sign up for updates and take part in future consultations. 

We maintain a Planning Strategy consultee database so that residents, businesses, organisations and other interested parties can receive updates and consultation notifications. Anyone can sign up to the database by completing the online form. All personal information will be held securely and used only for the purpose of planning consultations and will not be shared with any other parties. 

The Gateway 1 Self-Assessment Summary (366 KB)can also be downloaded as PDF document here.

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