Local Plan Timetable (2026-2041)

Local Plan Review Timetable

This page sets out the Council of the Isles of Scilly’s timetable for preparing the Local Plan 2026–2041. It has been updated as a result of the central government changes to the National Planning Policy Framework and the publication of the updated Town and Country Planning (Local Plans) Regulations 2026, which come into effect on the 24 March 2026. The timetable below corresponds to the live Local Plan: Project Initiation Document (PID) which can be read here and our Statement of Community Involvement (2024). The timetable follows the Government’s new 30‑month plan‑making system and reflects the high‑level programme approved by Full Council in February 2026. It will be updated at each Gateway stage as the project progresses.

This page will be updated to reflect any changes to the below timescales.
Isles of Scilly Local Plan 2026-2041 Timetable  Dates

Stage 0: Pre-Commencement Preparatory Work

 Spring-Autumn 2026

Key activities:

Community involvement:
✔️ Public engagement: Non-Statutory on key themes  (those on the Local Plan Consultation Database only)

 

 

 

March 2026

 

April 2026
Gateway 1: Self Assessment | Start if the 30 month Local Plan Period September 2026

Stage 1: Scoping (Months 1-6) 

 October 2026 - March 2027

Key activities:

  • Early stage visioning and strategy
  • Vision and strategic options
  • Initial evidence base review (iterative IIA, HENA, CAAMP, SFRA, CCMA, LCRPA, RECS)

Community involvement:
✔️ Public engagement: Statutory Public Consultation: Vision and Strategic Options

 

 

 

 

Summer 2026

Stage 2: Draft Plan Preparation (Months 7-12)

 April - October 2027

Key activities: 

  • Draft plan preparation
  • Site assessments
  • Strategic policy drafting
  • Draft spatial strategy
  • Draft Policies Map
  • Prepare draft plan for Gateway 2
  
Gateway 2: DLUHC review of Draft Plan October 2027

Stage 3: Publication and Submission (Months 13-18)

 October 2027- March 2028

Key activities

  • Publish Local Plan for submission
  • Analyse representations
  • Finalise submission documents (IIA, Duty to Cooperate, Consultation Statement)
  • Submit to the Planning Inspectorate (PINS)
  • Gateway 3: Submission
  • Publish Policies Map
  • Publish Evidence List
  • Publish Consultation Reports

Statutory community involvement:
✔️ Formal publication for representations (Reg. 27) 
✔️ Minimum 8‑week consultation (Reg. 27)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Spring 2028
Gateway 3: Submission of the Local Plan to the Secretary of State March 2028

Stage 4: Examination (Months 19-24)

 April - September 2028

Key activities

  • Independent Examination
  • Examination hearings
  • Main Modifications (if required)
  • Consultation on Main Modifications (if required)
  • Receipt of Inspector’s Final Report

Community involvement:
✔️ Attend Examination hearings (public)
✔️ Representations on Main Modifications (if required)

  

Stage 5: Adoption  (Months 25-30)

 October 2028 - March 2029

Key activities

  • Adoption by Full Council
  • Publication of Adoption Statement
  • Update Digital Local Plan
  • Begin monitoring cycle

Community involvement:
✔️ Local Plan available for inspection
✔️ Community notified of adoption

  

 

Page Updated: 19/03/2026