Local Plans play an important role in the planning system because they ensure that the need for various types of development can be met in a sustainable way, and they offer certainty to developers, communities, and other stakeholders as a result. Local Plans must be reviewed at least every five years from the date they’re adopted.

A Regulation 18 consultation is a key stage in the process of Local Plan making in England. Usually following a ‘call for sites’, where landowners and developers can submit sites to the LPA to be considered for allocation in the Local Plan. They are so named because it is Regulation 18 of the Town and Country Planning (Local Plan) (England) Regulations 2012 that sets out the first formal stage required of the LPA in the consultation process.

Sometimes called ‘Issues and Options’, ‘Preferred Options’ or ‘Draft Local Plan’, these consultations ask for initial views on key topics or themes, inviting interested parties and statutory consultees to make representations, over a minimum six-week period.

The consultation sets out housing need, according to the Standard Method calculation, and invites views and suggestions regarding proposed site allocations. Alongside land for housing development, a Local Plan will also identify land for various uses such as commercial, industrial, infrastructure, renewable energy, biodiversity net gain and nutrient offsetting. Residents and interested parties are welcome to comment on all elements proposed.

Some authorities undertake multiple Regulation 18 consultations before moving to the next steps. Once the Regulation 18 consultation has concluded, the local authority will review responses and use these to inform a further consultation at Regulation 19, where allocations are firmed up and draft policy wording presented. Following this, Local Plans are examined by planning inspectors and if found to be sound, adopted.