Draft Local Plan for Buckinghamshire 2045 (Regulation 19 consultation)
Draft Local Plan consultation
The draft Local Plan sets out how Buckinghamshire will grow and develop to 2045.
It will guide decisions on where new homes, jobs, infrastructure and community facilities should be located, while protecting and enhancing Buckinghamshire's natural, historic and built environment.
The Regulation 19 consultation was the final opportunity to make comments (called representations) before the Draft Local Plan for Buckinghamshire is submitted to the Planning Inspectorate for independent examination.
Read more about the development of the Local Plan for Buckinghamshire and the steps taken to reach this stage.
Draft Local Plan publication version (Regulation 19) consultation period
The Local Plan consultation has now closed.
View the Draft Local Plan documents and information
View the documents:
- full draft local plan (PDF, 17 MB)
- appendices
- policies map
- topic papers (on our evidence page)
- evidence
- statement of representations procedure (PDF, 303 KB)
- statement of representations procedure (updated September 2026) (PDF, 314 KB)
- frequently asked questions
This page contains documents that may not be accessible. For more information, or to request an accessible version of any document, contact [email protected].
Take part in examination hearing sessions
If you opted to participate in the Examination Hearings during the consultation period, the appointed Planning Inspector will decide whether participation at a hearing session is necessary and who will be invited to attend.
Late representations
Late representations cannot normally be accepted and may not be submitted to the Planning Inspectorate.
Draft Local Plan for Buckinghamshire
The Draft Local Plan for Buckinghamshire (Publication Version) sets out our vision, strategic objectives and planning policies for Buckinghamshire to 2045.
View the Draft Local Plan for Buckinghamshire (PDF, 17 MB) and the Local Plan appendices.
Policies Map
The Policies Map illustrates the spatial extent of the Draft Local Plan for Buckinghamshire's policies, designations and proposed site allocations.
You can view two versions:
- an interactive map
- downloadable PDF map
Evidence Base
The Evidence Base consists of the technical studies, assessments and other supporting documents that have informed the preparation of the Draft Local Plan for Buckinghamshire.
These include evidence relating to:
- housing
- employment
- transport
- infrastructure
- flooding
- biodiversity
- landscape
- heritage
- viability
- environmental matters
- other planning topics
Requesting a copy of the Local Plan
We can send you an email with the links to the documents. To request this, email [email protected].
You can request a printed copy (for a fee) to either be:
- sent to you
- collected from one of our offices
Regulation 19 is the second of two statutory stages in the preparation of a Local Plan.
Earlier stages of consultation invited comments on draft ideas, options and alternative approaches to preparing the Local Plan.
This Regulation 19 consultation is different. It is the final statutory opportunity to make representations before the Proposed Submission Draft Local Plan for Buckinghamshire is submitted to the Planning Inspectorate for independent examination.
For this stage, we have published the Draft Local Plan for Buckinghamshire and are inviting representations before we submit it to the Planning Inspectorate.
Representations should focus on whether the Plan:
- has been prepared in accordance with the relevant legal requirements; and
- is sound.
All duly made representations received during the consultation period will be submitted to the Planning Inspectorate, together with the Draft Local Plan for Buckinghamshire and its supporting evidence, for consideration during the independent examination.
An independent Planning Inspector will examine the Draft Local Plan for Buckinghamshire and consider all duly made representations in assessing whether the Plan meets the relevant legal requirements and the tests of soundness.
Following the independent examination, the Planning Inspector will issue a report setting out their conclusions. If necessary, the Inspector may recommend Main Modifications before the Draft Local Plan for Buckinghamshire can proceed to adoption.
Before a Local Plan can be adopted, it must meet a number of statutory legal requirements.
To comply with the relevant legislation, the Draft Local Plan for Buckinghamshire must:
- be prepared in accordance with the Planning and Compulsory Purchase Act 2004 and the Town and Country Planning (Local Planning) (England) Regulations 2012
- be identified in the Buckinghamshire Local Development Scheme
- be prepared in accordance with the Statement of Community Involvement
- be supported by the required evidence and assessments, including a Sustainability Appraisal
Further information about the legal requirements for preparing Local Plans is available in national planning guidance.
For the Draft Local Plan for Buckinghamshire to be found sound, it must satisfy four tests set out in the National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF)
Positively prepared
The Plan should provide an appropriate strategy that seeks to meet Buckinghamshire's identified development needs and contributes to sustainable development.
Justified
The Plan should be based on proportionate evidence and represent the most appropriate strategy when considered against the reasonable alternatives.
Effective
The Plan should be deliverable over the plan period and based on effective joint working on cross-boundary strategic matters.
Consistent with national policy
The Plan should be prepared in accordance with national planning policy, including the National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF)
We're committed to delivering an open, transparent and accessible consultation process.
Throughout the consultation period, we will:
- provide clear, accurate and accessible information about the Draft Local Plan for Buckinghamshire and the consultation process
- make the consultation documents available online and in paper format at:
- our Wycombe office
- Aylesbury Library
- support anyone who needs assistance using OPUSConsult or accessing the consultation documents
- consider all duly made representations received during the consultation period
- submit all duly made representations, together with the Draft Local Plan for Buckinghamshire and supporting evidence, to the Planning Inspectorate as part of the independent examination
Regulation 18 consultation (completed)
Previous consultation on the draft plan, options and evidence.
Regulation 19 consultation (current stage)
Consultation on the Proposed Submission Draft Local Plan for Buckinghamshire. Representations should focus on whether the Plan meets the relevant legal requirements and the tests of soundness.
Review of representations
We'll review all duly made representations received during the consultation period.
Submission to the Planning Inspectorate
Subject to the necessary approvals, the Draft Local Plan for Buckinghamshire, supporting evidence and all duly made representations will be submitted to the Planning Inspectorate.
Independent Examination
An independent Planning Inspector will examine the Draft Local Plan for Buckinghamshire and consider all duly made representations.
Inspector's Report
The Planning Inspector will issue a report setting out their conclusions and, where necessary, recommend Main Modifications.
Adoption of the Local Plan for Buckinghamshire
Following receipt of the Inspector's Report and completion of any required Main Modifications, we'll consider adopting the Local Plan.
Next steps
- The Council will submit the draft Local Plan, supporting evidence and consultation responses to the Planning Inspectorate no later than 31 December 2026 (subject to approval by Full Council).
- The Planning Inspectorate will appoint an independent Planning Inspector to examine the draft Local Plan in public and consider all consultation comments.
- The Examination in Public is due to take place in 2027;
- Individuals who indicated in their Regulation 19 consultation submission that they wish to participate in the examination hearings will be contacted by an independent Programme Officer in due course.
- The Inspector will publish a report setting out whether the draft Local Plan is legally compliant and sound and identifying any changes needed to make it sound.
- The Inspector's report will be published on our website.
- The Council will update the draft Local Plan to incorporate any required ‘Main Modifications’ and additional minor amendments, such as factual updates or corrections.
- The Local Plan will be presented to Full Council for adoption.
Contact us
Call our customer services team on 0300 131 6000 and select option 4 (Planning).
If you require documents in an alternative format, email [email protected].