Information on the Bristol Local Plan 2045 and the new local plan system.
In March 2026, the Town and Country Planning (Local Planning) (England) Regulations 2026 came into force which set out a new 30-month system to prepare shorter and clearer local plans.
We're obligated to start preparing a new local plan under this system, and expect to adopt the plan by late Spring 2029.
You can read the government's guidance on the new local plan system.
Our new local plan
The Bristol Local Plan 2045 will form part of the Development Plan, alongside the West of England's (MCA) Spatial Development Strategy (Spatial Development Strategy) and made Neighbourhood Plans (Neighbourhood planning).
With the National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF), these documents form a comprehensive planning framework for Bristol.
On 30 June 2026, we:
Stay up to date
To join our mailing list for updates on the plan's progress, or for any questions about the local plan, email blp@bristol.gov.uk.