Draft Local Plan for Buckinghamshire 2045 (Regulation 19 consultation)
Have your say
We're inviting residents and organisations to make representations on the Draft Local Plan for Buckinghamshire (publication version) during the Regulation 19 consultation period.
The 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.
This Regulation 19 consultation is the final opportunity to make comments (called representations at this stage) before the Draft Local Plan for Buckinghamshire is submitted to the Planning Inspectorate for independent examination.
View the draft Local Plan or make a representation on our consultation portal.
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
Opens: Thursday 23 July 2026
Closes: Sunday 6 September 2026 at 11:59pm
Before you begin
Before making a representation, we recommend that you take a few moments to:
- read the relevant section of the Draft Local Plan for Buckinghamshire
- review any supporting evidence where appropriate
- identify the chapter, policy, site allocation or supporting document you wish to comment on
- consider whether your representation supports, objects to or seeks changes to the Draft Local Plan for Buckinghamshire
- consider whether your representation relates to the relevant legal requirements and/or the tests of soundness
View the Draft Local Plan documents and information:
- full Draft Local Plan (PDF, 30 MB)
- appendices
- policies map
- Topic Papers (on our evidence page)
- evidence
- summary leaflet (PDF, 6.1 MB)
- Statement of Representations Procedure (PDF, 308 KB)
- Local Plan video
- 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].
How to make a representation
You must submit your representation online through OPUSConsult during the consultation period.
To make a representation:
- Follow the link to OPUSConsult.
- Register for an OPUSConsult account if you do not already have one.
- Sign in to your account.
- Browse the Draft Local Plan for Buckinghamshire, Policies Map or supporting documents.
- Select the chapter, policy, site allocation or supporting document you wish to comment on.
- Complete and submit your representation by 11:59pm on Sunday 6 September 2026.
You must clearly identify the chapter, policy, site allocation or supporting document you're commenting on. This will help us to understand your representation and ensure it is considered during the independent examination process.
Saving your representation
You should save your progress regularly while completing the form.
However, OPUSConsult will automatically save your drafted response. So you can return to it and complete your representation before submitting it.
Session timeout
Your OPUSConsult session may expire after a period of inactivity. This is for security reasons.
If this happens, you may need to sign in again to continue your representation.
Take part in examination hearing sessions
If you object to the Plan, you will be asked when submitting your representation whether you wish to participate in the Examination Hearings. The appointed Planning Inspector will decide whether participation at a hearing session is necessary and who will be invited to attend.
If you would like to take part, explain why this is necessary when you submit your representation.
Late representations
Representations must be submitted by 11:59pm on Sunday 6 September 2026.
Representations received after this time cannot normally be accepted and may not be submitted to the Planning Inspectorate.
Submit your representation
Consultation documents
The consultation documents consist of the:
- Draft Local Plan for Buckinghamshire
- Policies Map
- Local Plan appendices
- Local Plan Evidence Base
Together, these documents set out the our planning policies and provide the supporting evidence and technical information that have informed the preparation of the Draft Local Plan for Buckinghamshire.
Draft Local Plan for Buckinghamshire
The Draft Local Plan for Buckinghamshire (Publication Version) sets out the our vision, strategic objectives and planning policies for Buckinghamshire to 2045.
View the Draft Local Plan for Buckinghamshire (PDF, 30 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
Viewing documents in person
You can view paper copies of the draft Local Plan at:
- our principal offices in Aylesbury and Wycombe
- the 9 main libraries (during normal staffed hours):
- Amersham
- Aylesbury
- Beaconsfield
- Buckingham
- Chesham
- Hazlemere
- High Wycombe
- Marlow
- Princes Risborough
Our Wycombe address is:
Queen Victoria Road
High Wycombe
Buckinghamshire
HP11 1BB
Our Aylesbury address is:
Buckinghamshire Council
Walton Street
Aylesbury
HP20 1UA
You can only view digital copies of the Evidence Base at our offices, not our libraries.
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 also request a copy in the post. There will be a fee to cover printing and postage.
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.
After the consultation
After the consultation closes:
- we'll review all duly made representations received during the consultation period
- subject to the necessary approvals, the Draft Local Plan for Buckinghamshire, its supporting evidence and all duly made representations will be submitted to the Planning Inspectorate
- an independent Planning Inspector will examine the Draft Local Plan for Buckinghamshire and consider all duly made representations
- 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
- following receipt of the Inspector's Report and completion of any required Main Modifications, we'll consider adopting the Local Plan
If you need help
Contact us
Call our customer services team on 0300 131 6000 and select option 4 (Planning).
They can help you to:
- create an OPUSConsult account
- log in to your account
- navigate the consultation website
- access the consultation documents
- submit your representation online
But they cannot:
- provide planning advice
- advise on the content of your representation
- advise whether you should support or object to the Draft Local Plan for Buckinghamshire
- write a representation on your behalf
If you require the consultation documents in an alternative format or need reasonable adjustments to participate in the consultation, email [email protected].