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Fareham Local Plan 2044 - Shaping Fareham's Future Together

News and Updates

What's Happening and What's Coming Next

The Local Plan Timetable sets out the key stages and dates for preparing our new Local Plan and reflects the Government's updated 30-month plan-making process.

This timetable comes into effect on 26 June 2026.

The Local Plan Timetable sets out the key stages and dates for preparing our new Local Plan and reflects the Government's updated 30-month plan-making process External Hyperlink - Opens in new tab.

What's already happened?

Local Plan Timetable

(Already Issued)		 The Council must publish a timetable showing when the steps in the plan-making process will take place. This must be updated whenever changes to the timings are made. Fareham's Local Plan timetable can be viewed below.

Notice to Commence

(Already Issued)

 Before plan-making starts, councils must publish a notice telling the public that a new Local Plan is about to begin. This must happen at least four months before work formally starts. You can view Fareham's notice to commence here: Fareham Local Plan 2044 Notice to Commence PDF (268 KB). 

Scoping Consultation 24 August to 2 October

(Where We Are Now) 

We are asking for your views on:

  • What issues the Local Plan should focus on.
  • Our draft engagement strategy - how you would like us to keep you informed and involve you as the plan progresses.

Your feedback will help shape the early direction of the plan and make sure that future consultations reach our community and stakeholders in the right way.

This consultation is required by planning regulations.

Evidence gathering

(Now to June 2027)

Throughout the course of Local plan preparation officers will be carrying out extensive evidence gathering and technical assessments, which are essential to shaping the new Local Plan. This evidence will help identify:

  • Where new development could be supported.
  • What constraints exist (such as environmental designations or flood risk).
  • What infrastructure and services are needed.
  • How best to protect important green and historic areas.
This work has already commenced, and all of this information will directly inform the emerging vision, spatial strategy and draft policies for the Local Plan.

What's happening next?

Gateway 1 – Readiness Check

(31 October 2026)

After the Scoping Consultation, we must publish a summary of what you told us and show that we are ready to begin preparing the plan.

At this point, the 30-month timetable officially begins.

Regulation 23 Consultation

(7 June to 16 July 2027)		 We will publish early draft plan content (vision, strategy, key evidence) and invite your comments for at least 6 weeks. We must publish a summary of what you told us and show how we have taken this into account.

Gateway 2

(13 December 2027 to 21 January 2028		 Independent Planning inspectors provide early advice to help ensure the plan is on the right track. Their advice will be published. 

Regulation 27 Consultation

(7 February 2028 to 31 March 2028)		 You will have a chance to comment on the full proposed Local Plan and the draft policies map during an 8-week consultation. We must publish a summary of what you told us and show how we have taken this into account.

Gateway 3

(31 July 2028 to 29 September 2028)

Independent Planning Inspectors check that the plan is ready to go to Examination. 

Submission and Examination

(October 2028 to April 2029)

We submit the plan, evidence and consultation summaries to the Planning Inspectorate.

An independent Inspector then examines the plan through a series of public hearings. 

Adoption

(May 2029)		 If the plan is found sound, the council adopts it. It then becomes the main document used to guide planning decisions.