The key dates for the Bristol Local Plan 2045 and when changes will be made to the timetable.
The local plan timetable sets out the key milestones for the preparation and adoption of the new Bristol Local Plan 2045, which will supersede the current Bristol Local Plan 2022-2040 (main document, annex development allocations, and policies map).
It makes sure that Bristol's communities and other stakeholders know when they can get involved and the timescales for the plan going forward.
The local plan is the basis for planning decisions and all future development and will cover issues relating to minerals and waste.
As we're the Local Planning Authority and Minerals and Waste Planning Authority, we're preparing a single local plan instead of a separate minerals and waste local plan.
This timetable:
- replaces the requirement for a Local Development Scheme
- relates to the administrative area of Bristol City Council
- takes effect from 30 June 2026 and will be reviewed monthly.
New local plan timetable
Below is the timetable, with regulations relating to The Town and Country Planning (Local Planning) (England) Regulations 2026 and the Act referring to the Planning and Compulsory Purchase Act 2004.
You can also download a default CSV spreadsheet version of the timetable(2 KB) , which will be updated when changes are made and milestones are met.
The data in this file is being provided to government under the Open Government Licence.
| Date | Key milestone |
|---|---|
| 30 June 2026 | Publish Notice of Intention to Commence Under regulation 19(1) and 44(1) |
| 7 September 2026 to 28 September 2026 | Scoping consultation (start to end) The date of notice of scoping consultation available under regulation 20(1)(b) and 45(1)(b) to the date on or before which representations will have to be received by the Council in accordance with regulation 20(4) and 45(4) |
| 31 October 2026 | Publication of Gateway 1 self-assessment Under regulation 21(3) and 46(3) |
| 1 December 2026 to 7 February 2027 | Proposed plan content and evidence consultation (start to end) The date on which the Council will make a notice of plan content and evidence consultation available under regulation 23(1)(a) and 48(1)a to the date on or before which representations will have to be received by the Council in accordance with regulation 23(4) and 48(4) |
| 1 August 2027 | Gateway 2 advice sought The date on which observations and advice will be sought under section 15CA(3) of the Act in accordance with regulation 26 and 51 |
| 1 January 2028 to 1 March 2028 | Proposed plan consultation (start to end) The date on which the Council will make a notice of proposed local plan consultation available under regulation 27(1)a) and 52(1)a) to the date on or before which representations will have to be received by the Council in accordance with regulation 27(4) and 52(4) |
| 1 July 2028 | Gateway 3 advice sought The date on which observations and advice will be sought under section 15CA(3) of the Act in accordance with regulation 31 and 56 |
| 2 October 2028 | Submission of plan for examination The date on which the Council will submit its proposed local plan to the Secretary of State for independent examination under section 15D(1) of the Act |
| 30 April 2029 | Adoption of plan The date on which the local planning authority will consider adopting the proposed local plan under section 15EA of the Act |
Timetable changes
The timetable will be reviewed monthly from the date of publication and updated when any changes are required.
We will also update timetable on the same day that the following stages are reached:
- publication of Gateway 1 self-assessment
- publication of Gateway 2 advice
- publication of Gateway 3 advice
- publication of the recommendations and reasons of the examiner following the examination of the plan
Local plan timetable schedule of amendments
- 30 June 2026: First version of Local Plan Timetable published.
- 30 July 2026: Next scheduled review of the Timetable.