Last week the Government published further information on the new local plan system which will come into effect from early 2026. The new system introduces a 30-month preparation process, three formal “gateways”, and new digital-first requirements for how plans and evidence are to be produced and presented.

The three “gateways” are:

1. Scoping and strategic priorities
2. Draft plan
3. Readiness for examination

The aim is to streamline plan-making across England at a time when fewer than one third of local planning authorities (LPAs) have an up-to-date local plan.

Throughout 2026 both plan-making systems will run in parallel, with LPAs either proceeding with a well-advanced emerging plan and submitting it for examination under the legacy system before 2026 year-end or transitioning to the new one by the same date.

The long-standing Duty to Cooperate will also be removed for plans examined under either system, in an attempt to support faster adoption of plans that are better aligned with wider regulatory reform cycles.

For rural areas, this will mean working to tighter timescales, transferring emerging plan progress to-date across to the new system, all whilst balancing increasing housing and employment targets, as well as existing landscape, environmental and infrastructure considerations.

The result = a managed overhaul in the short term to place plan-making on a streamlined and more stable footing in the long term.

As a private planning consultancy specialising in rural environments, we are already reviewing the new guidance so that we can support landowners and rural businesses ahead of these upcoming changes, from early scoping of strategic priorities and site promotion, to shorter-term housing delivery applications and plan consultation representations. If you’d like to discuss what the new system might mean for your area or land interests, please get in touch with our Planning Team.