Local Plan (Fifth Edition)

The local plan timetable outlines the key stages for plan-making in the Borough of Pendle and the dates on which they are expected to happen. A brief explanation of each stage follows the timetable.

The timetable replaces the ninth revision of the Local Development Scheme approved at Executive on 20 March 2025.

Date published

30 June 2026

Timetable

Regulation	Key stages	Date(s)
8	Publish local plan timetable	30 June 2026
19	Publish notice of intention to commence local plan preparation	30 June 2026
20	Consult on local plan scoping report – 4 weeks	14 August 2026 to 14 September 2026
-	Call for sites – 4 weeks	14 August 2026 to 14 September 2026
21	Publish self-assessment of readiness for local plan preparation – Gateway 1	30 October 2026
22	Publish summary of scoping consultation	30 October 2026
23	Consult on proposed local plan content and evidence – 6 weeks	19 June 2027 to 9 August 2027
24	Publish summary of consultation on proposed local plan content and evidence	17 September 2027
26	Publish observations and advice from an appointed person – Gateway 2	15 October 2027
27	Consult on proposed local plan	12 May 2028 to 3 July 2028
30	Publish summary of consultation on proposed local plan	24 August 2028
31	Publish outcome of prescribed requirements assessment by an appointed person – Gateway 3	30 September 2028
34	Submit documents and information to the Secretary of State	31 October 2028
35	Independent examination of the local plan	31 October 2028 to 30 May 2028
38	Publish of the recommendations and reasons of the examiner	6 May 2029
39	Adopt the local plan	30 April 2029

Changes to the local plan timetable

The local plan timetable is reviewed on or before the last day of each month and updated as necessary.

Any updates to the Local Plan timetable are listed in the schedule of changes.

Schedule of changes

• Published 30 June 2026
• Updated: Not applicable

Open data

The Local Plan timetable is also available as a .csv file under the Open Government Licence and follows the approved data standards.

• View the local plan timetable

Explanation of key stages

Publish the local plan timetable

Review of the Council’s current plan-making timetable to ensure it meets the new legal requirements.

The new local plan timetable sets out the key stages in plan-making, as set out in The Town and Country Planning (Local Planning) (England) Regulations 2026. It came into effect on Tuesday 30 June 2026 and will be reviewed on, or before, the last day of each month and updated as necessary

Publish notice of intention to commence local plan preparation

The notice of intention to commence local plan preparation must be published at least 4 months before the date of the Gateway 1 self-assessment.

The notice sets out how and when local communities and key stakeholders can get involved in the plan-making process.

Consult on local plan scoping report

This is the first formal consultation on the local plan.

The scoping report considers the local context for plan-making. It identifies the key strengths and weaknesses and any potential constraints within the plan area.

To ensure that policy interventions are proportionate and relevant to the area, a sustainability appraisal report will assess their environmental, economic and social impacts.

All formal representations (comments) addressing the content of the scoping report, must be received by Pendle Borough Council within four weeks of the date on which the notification was published.

Call for sites (non-statutory)

An opportunity for landowners, agents, developers, residents and other interested parties to put forward sites with the potential to be developed within the plan period (i.e. by 31 March 2046).

This consultation is not required by the legislation but is part of the evidence gathering required for the site allocation process.

The deadline for receipt of site nomination forms responding to the Call for Sites is the same as that for the scoping report.

Publish self-assessment of readiness for local plan preparation (Gateway 1)

The purpose of the self‑assessment summary is to confirm that the Council has published a:

• Local plan timetable
• Notification of intention to commence local plan preparation
• Scoping report

It also confirms that a project plan, addressing the formal process of preparing the Pendle Local Plan 5th Edition, is in place.

After passing through Gateway 1, the Council must prepare and adopt the local plan within 30-months.

Publish summary of scoping consultation

Publication of a document setting out who was invited to comment on the content of the scoping report; how they were asked to submit their representations; how many representations were received; a summary of the main issues raised in those representations; and the Council’s response.

Consult on proposed local plan content and evidence

The second formal consultation on the local plan. The consultation document sets out the proposed vision, aims and objectives of the local plan and a summary of the topics to be addressed by individual policies. It also provides a summary of the evidence that is intended to support the plan.

All formal representations (comments), addressing the content of the local plan and its supporting evidence must be received by Pendle Borough Council within six weeks of the date on which the consultation commenced.

Publish summary of consultation on proposed local plan content and evidence

Publication of a document setting out who was invited to comment on the proposed content of the local plan and its supporting evidence; how they were asked to submit their representations; how they were asked to submit their representations; how many representations were received; a summary of the main issues raised in those representations; and the Council’s response.

Observations and advice from an appointed person (Gateway 2)

This new requirement is a formal method of obtaining on an early draft of the local plan and its supporting evidence. Planning officers will meet with an assessor appointed by the Planning Inspectorate, to review progress on the Local Plan and ensure that the Council’s proposed approach aligns with current legislation, national policy and guidance. Once the assessment is complete, the assessor’s formal report and observations will be published.

Consult on the proposed local plan

The third and final formal consultation on the local plan. The final draft of the local plan and policies map reflects amendments made in response to earlier feedback from the local community and key stakeholders. It also confirms the proposed site allocations.

All formal representations (comments), addressing the draft local plan must be received by Pendle Borough Council within eight weeks of the date on which the which the consultation commenced.

Publish summary of consultation on the proposed local plan

Publication of a document setting out who was invited to comment on the content of the draft local plan and its supporting evidence; how they were asked to submit their representations; how they were asked to submit their representations; how many representations were received; a summary of the main issues raised in those representations; and the Council’s response.

Prescribed requirements assessment by an appointed person (Gateway 3)

Final check by an external assessor to confirm that the proposed local plan meets the planning regulations and the tests of soundness. Confirmation of whether or not the local plan can be formally submitted to the Secretary of State for independent examination. Once the assessment is complete, the assessor’s report, submitted documents and a Gateway 3 completion statement will be published.

Submit documents and supporting information to the Secretary of State

The proposed local plan and supporting evidence is submitted to the Secretary of State, who will ask the Planning Inspectorate to appoint an inspector to conduct an independent examination of the proposed local plan.

Independent examination of the local plan

A Planning Inspector, appointed by the Secretary of State, will conduct an independent examination of the Local Plan, to determine whether it is sound and compliant with national planning policy.

The examination should last no longer than 6 months. Several public hearing sessions are likely to be required to allow specific topic areas to be debated.

Publish the examiner’s recommendations and reasons

The person(s) appointed to conduct the independent examination of the proposed local plan publish a report outlining their recommendations and the reasons for them. The Council must publish this report as soon as is reasonably practicable after receipt.

Adopt the local plan

A meeting of Full Council will consider whether to formally adopt the proposed local plan, together with any modifications proposed by the independent planning inspector, as part of the statutory development plan for the Borough of Pendle.