England to launch 30-month local plan system in 2026

On 27 November 2025, Housing and Planning Minister Matthew Pennycook set out further details for England’s new local plan system, due to start in the new year. The reforms sit under the Levelling Up and Regeneration Act 2023 and are designed to make plan-making faster and more predictable so councils, communities and builders know what happens when. Ministers say the changes back their pledge to deliver 1.5 million homes this Parliament. We’re focusing on what will actually change for you, and how to use this in lessons and local discussions.

First, a quick refresher. A local plan is your area’s rulebook for what gets built, where, and to what standard. It shapes homes, jobs space, transport links and green areas, and it guides decisions on planning applications. According to the government, fewer than a third of local planning authorities currently have an up-to-date plan, which is why reform has been pushed up the agenda.

The headline change is time. Councils will work to a 30‑month timetable from start to finish. That clock is meant to give residents and developers clear points to get involved, and give councillors the confidence that plans won’t drift for years. Think of it as a school year planner for planning: you map the stages early, set milestones, and stick to them unless there’s a very good reason to move a date.

There are three checkpoints, known as gateways. Gateway 1 looks at scope and strategic priorities, so the council and community are clear on what the plan must cover. Gateway 2 checks the draft plan before it goes to examination, and Gateway 3 confirms readiness for examination so avoidable issues are fixed early. What this means: you should see earlier clarity about housing numbers, site options and infrastructure, and earlier chances to challenge weak evidence or celebrate strong ideas.

From Gateway 2 onwards, the Planning Inspectorate manages the process. Inspectors will carry out independent examinations to test whether plans are legally compliant and sound against national policy. The Inspectorate says it is doubling its local plans inspector workforce to cope with demand, which should reduce queues once the new system switches on.

The reform is digital‑first. Councils will use standardised data and more user‑friendly tools so you can search policies, view sites on a map, and compare evidence without wading through hundreds of PDFs. The Planning Inspectorate is also introducing a new digital service for examinations during 2026 so participants can follow and contribute more easily.

Guidance to get started is already live on gov.uk under Create or update a local plan. It covers the early stages in the new system, with more tools and services promised this year and through 2026. For practical templates and training, the Planning Advisory Service will add materials to support plan-makers’ day‑to‑day work.

There will be a transition year. Through 2026, councils can use either the existing system or the new one. Plans can still be submitted under the existing system until 31 December 2026, which gives authorities part‑way through a plan a genuine choice about the best route to adoption. If you work in a council or community group, this is your signal to map your current progress against the 30‑month path and decide whether to switch or stay put. Early clarity will save time later.

A notable policy shift is the removal of the Duty to Cooperate. The new system does not include it, and government says the requirement will also be removed for plans examined under the existing system to speed adoption. Quick explainer: the Duty used to require councils to show they had worked with neighbours on cross‑boundary issues like homes and transport. With its removal, watch for new mechanisms to handle these cross‑border conversations so problems do not simply move elsewhere.

Quality control remains central. The Inspectorate’s independent scrutiny aims to ensure plans are legally compliant and sound, giving communities a framework that stands up when challenged. For you, that should mean fewer last‑minute surprises and clearer decisions on sites and infrastructure.

For teachers and students, this is a ready‑made case study in public policy. Try this: compare your council’s current plan status with the 30‑month model, identify when residents can influence site choices, and debate trade‑offs between housing need, affordability, and environmental limits. You’ll build media literacy by checking claims from multiple sources, including council evidence and national policy.

What to watch next in 2026: the first edition of the Procedure Guide for Local Plans under the new system is expected soon, setting out the process step by step. More digital tools will roll out across the year, early adopters will test the gateways in real time, and we’ll see whether increased inspector capacity brings down waiting times. Keep an eye on how transparent councils are at Gateway 1-the earlier the evidence is shared, the better the conversation for everyone.