Guidance

New local plan-making system roadmap

Published 2 March 2026

Applies to England

The Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government (MHCLG) supports faster plan-making. This roadmap sets out when guidance, tools and funding will become available to support you in creating your new local plan.

MHCLG have published this roadmap now so that local planning authorities can see the direction of travel for the new plan-making system. MHCLG will review the roadmap and make any necessary revisions and updates as the new system is implemented.

Tools

Available now	Next	Later in 2026
M365 processing – using automation to save time processing consultations.	Model Local Plan – aims to define the core structure, components and content of a modern, effective local plan. This standardised, streamlined and co-designed structure will provide templates for more concise and focused local plans, a reduction in time spent drafting crucial local plan components and a route to simplify assessment by making the plan easier to examine by the Planning Inspectorate. Sites – development of a standardised ‘call for sites’ digital form (Site Identification Forms service).	Site Identification Forms service – aims to standardise how site information is submitted, shared and assessed. This will enable the publication of consistent submission forms for use by members of the public, developers and landowners to provide structured and meaningful site data. Site Assessment service – aims to support the site assessment stage, helping teams review, compare and manage site information in a consistent and transparent way.  Improve and add additional digital products and services, based on early feedback and plan progress.

Gateways and examination guidance

Available now	Next	Later in 2026
Gateway 1 what you need to do   Gateway readiness checker for internal use: RAG rated statements that describe different levels of progress for each area Gateway self-assessment summary: example and template to help publish a Gateway 1 self-assessment	First version of Procedural Guidance for Gateways and Examination. Gateway 2 and 3: what you need to do.	More details on the Gateways and Examination Service.

Evidence base   

Available now	Next	Later in 2026
Services and guidance are currently in development and being tested with users.	Statement of Compliance – to support when seeking Gateway 2 advice and observations from an assessor. Tracks progress towards having a legally compliant plan. Helps the Gateway 3 assessor determine if the plan meets requirements.   Statement of Soundness – to support when seeking Gateway 2 advice and observations from an assessor. Tracks progress toward a sound plan. Helps the Local Plan Examiner determine if the plan meets the tests of soundness.	Evidence base – development of a digital service which aims to streamline evidence preparation, avoid duplication, and give greater confidence that evidence is proportionate, up-to-date and suitable for examination. Preparing a local plan evidence base – procedural guidance on the preparation of evidence to support national planning policy Tests of soundness – guidance on meeting the tests of soundness set out in national policy .

Guidance

Available now	Next	Later in 2026
Landing page for the new system (two collection pages – one for the legacy system and one for the new system of plan-making. Roll out of the new plan making system  30-month local plan process: an overview Getting ready to prepare a new plan  Give notice of your plan-making Gathering baselining information to prepare your new plan Preparing a local plan vision    Introduction to identifying, assessing and selecting sites Stage 1: Identifying sites Stage 2: Assessing sites Stage 3: Determining your draft allocations Stage 4: Confirming your draft allocations and recording your decisions Case studies showing how local planning authorities have used technology and digital tools to speed up local plan creation, available on Local Digital	Create a local plan timetable Strategic environmental assessment Making your local plan documents publicly available  What to include in your local plan Documents to be prepared for your local plan  Engaging the public when preparing a local plan  Requirement to Assist  Supplementary plans, preparation and examination. User-centred case studies demonstrating how local planning authorities have used technology and digital tools to accelerate local plan delivery.	Improve and add additional guidance based on early feedback and plan progress. More user-centred case studies on use of technology and digital tools by local planning authorities.

Creating good quality and open data 

Available now	Next	Later in 2026
Check and provide planning data service	Development plan timetables and housing requirements – data standards and guidance.	Sites, Policies Map and Annual Monitoring Report key data – data standards and guidance.

Funding

Available now	Next	Later in 2026
Headline announcement that a minimum of £14.1 million will be available to support local plan implementation in 2025/26.	Announcement of successful applications for local plan implementation funding.	Funding monitoring.