Bristol Local Plan Main Modifications Consultation
The process so far
On 31 October 2023, Full Council agreed the Local Plan publication version (November 2023) and a representation period was carried out between 21 November 2023 and 26 January 2024.
The Local Plan was submitted to the Secretary of State on 25 April 2024 and appointed Planning Inspectors began an examination.
Examination hearings were held between 25 February 2025 and 23 April 2025.
The Inspectors provided their final advice and actions to the council on 21 November 2025. The council is now undertaking a consultation on the main modifications proposed.
More information can be found on the Local Plan Examination page.
Main Modifications
Main Modifications are changes to the submitted plan that have been identified through the examination process. These modifications are proposed to make the plan sound and legally compliant. The Main Modifications are proposed for consultation without prejudice to the inspectors' final conclusions.
The consultation
This consultation is being undertaken in accordance with the Procedure Guide for Local Plan Examinations.
The consultation only relates to the proposed main modifications to the:
- Bristol Local Plan Main Document – Publication Version (Nov 2023)
- Bristol Local Plan Annex – Development Allocations – Publication Version (Nov 2023)
- Bristol Local Plan Policies Map – Publication version (Nov 2023)
The council has also produced a Sustainability Appraisal addendum and a Habitats Regulations Assessment addendum, please see the "Other supporting documents" section below.
The consultation will be open between Monday 27 April and Friday 12 June 2026.
We are consulting on the modifications set out in following documents:
The representations received will be considered by the inspectors before finalising their examination report and their recommendations to the council for how the plan should be modified.
You can only comment on the modifications to the plan, and not the plan as a whole or other aspects of it that have not been modified at this stage. Please include the relevant main modification reference number(s) in your response (e.g., ‘MM1.1’).
When commenting on the main modifications, you are asked to comment specifically on whether the proposed modifications are sound and legally compliant. Please see ‘Further Information’ section below for additional details on soundness and legal compliance.
Other supporting documents
The council have produced a number of supporting documents throughout the Local Plan examination process. These documents have been published and are available for viewing and comments. The documents are:
- EXA066 - Sustainability Appraisal Addendum
- EXA067 - Habitats Regulation Assessment Addendum
- EXA045 BCC Examination Note - 5 Year Housing Land Supply
- EXA046 BCC Examination Note - Surface Water Flood Risk
- EXA052 BCC Examination Note – Gypsies, Travellers, Travelling Showpeople and Houseboat Dwellers
- EXA053 BCC Examination Note – Hallen Marsh Policy E4
- EXA054 BCC Examination Note - Policy H7 PBSA Information
- EXA060 BCC Examination Note - Employment Land Requirements
- EXA061 BCC Examination Note - Protected Open Space
- EXA062 BCC Examination Note - Employment Land Update
Tell us what you think
How to respond
You can provide your representations in the following ways:
- By completing this consultation:
- By email at BLP@bristol.gov.uk
- By post to Planning Policy, City Hall, College Green, Bristol, BS1 5TR
The deadline for representations is Friday 12th June 2026.
Your name (or the name of your organisation) and response will be made publicly available. For further information on how the council collects and stores your data, please see our privacy policy.
Alternative formats and contact
If you have any questions about this survey, or if you need this information in another format, please contact Planning Policy at BLP@Bristol.gov.uk.
Availability of documents
The documents are available to view on the council’s website, through the links provided above and on the Local Plan Examination webpage.
The Schedule of Main Modifications to the local plan (EXA064) and other supporting documents are available for inspection at City Hall, College Green, Bristol BS1 5TR (Mon-Fri 7am-7pm).
Further information
Further information
The Local Plan is being examined against the National Planning Policy Framework (September 2023).
Soundness
Local Plans are required by the National Planning Policy Framework to be ‘sound’. Plans are ‘sound’ if they are:
a) Positively prepared - providing a strategy which, as a minimum, seeks to meet the area’s objectively assessed needs; and is informed by agreements with other authorities, so that unmet need from neighbouring areas is accommodated where it is practical to do so and is consistent with achieving sustainable development;
b) Justified - an appropriate strategy, taking into account the reasonable alternatives, and based on proportionate evidence;
c) Effective - deliverable over the plan period, and based on effective joint working on cross-boundary strategic matters that have been dealt with rather than deferred, as evidenced by the statement of common ground; and
d) Consistent with national policy - enabling the delivery of sustainable development in accordance with the policies in this Framework and other statements of national planning policy, where relevant.
Legally compliant
Local plans are required to have been prepared in accordance with legal and procedural requirements set out in the Planning and Compulsory Purchase Act 2004 and the Town and Country Planning (Local Planning) (England) Regulations 2012.
Key dates
- Start date: 27 April 2026
- End date: 12 June 2026