New Local Plan

Regulation 19 publication stage

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The emerging Swindon Local Plan 2043 has now reached its Regulation 19 publication stage. This is your final opportunity to comment before the Local Plan is submitted to the Secretary of State for independent examination.

The Local Plan was approved by Cabinet on 1 July 2026 and Full Council on 6 August 2026. It was approved for publication under Regulation 19 of the Town and Country Planning (Local Planning) (England) Regulations 2012.

The Regulation 19 publication stage runs for six weeks, from 24 September to 11.59pm on 5 November 2026.

View the Regulation 19 Local Plan, evidence and supporting documents.

You can view hard copies of the Local Plan and other publication documents at the following locations. Use the library links to check the location and opening hours before visiting.

How to submit a representation

You can submit a representation in the following ways, in line with the statement of representations procedure.

We would prefer to receive comments electronically using the routes above.

If you are unable to do this, you can send your comments or completed representation form by post to:

Planning Policy Team, Floor 5
Swindon Borough Council
Civic Offices
Euclid Street
Swindon
SN1 2JH

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How your data will be used

Comments submitted during the Regulation 19 consultation will be made publicly available.

They may be published in full or as a summary alongside the name of the individual, business or organisation provided.

If you submit a comment on behalf of another person, business or organisation, we may also publish your name and the name of the party you represent.

No other personal contact details will be published.

Your name, contact details and representations may be shared with the Secretary of State, the appointed Planning Inspector and the Programme Officer for the purposes of the independent examination of the Local Plan.

The Programme Officer acts as an independent point of contact between the Council, the Inspector and people who submitted representations. They may contact you about the examination or relevant updates to the Local Plan.

Where appropriate, comments relating to matters outside the scope of planning may be shared with relevant council services.

Read the planning policy privacy notice for information about how your personal data is collected, used and stored as part of the Local Plan consultation.

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Advice on making a representation

At this stage, representations should focus on whether the emerging Local Plan is 'sound' and legally compliant.

These requirements are set out in paragraph 36 of the National Planning Policy Framework 2024.

Please note, an updated National Planning Policy Framework was published in August 2026. However, the Swindon Local Plan 2043 has been prepared and will be examined under the requirements of the National Planning Policy Framework 2024 (PDF).

Soundness

A Local Plan is considered 'sound' if it is:

  • positively prepared
    • It provides a strategy which, as a minimum, seeks to meet the area's objectively assessed needs
    • It is informed by agreements with other authorities, so unmet need from neighbouring areas is accommodated where practical to do so and is consistent with achieving sustainable development
  • justified
    • It provides an appropriate strategy, takes into account reasonable alternatives and is based on proportionate evidence
  • effective
    • It is deliverable over the plan period
    • It is based on effective joint working on cross-boundary strategic matters that have been dealt with rather than deferred
  • consistent with national policy
    • It enables the delivery of sustainable development in accordance with the policies in the National Planning Policy Framework and other relevant statements of national policy, where relevant

Legal compliance

Legal compliance relates to whether the Local Plan has been prepared in accordance with legal and procedural requirements.

Points to consider include:

  • whether the Local Plan has been prepared in accordance with the latest Local Development Scheme and Statement of Community Involvement
  • whether the Local Plan complies with all relevant legal requirements, including the Town and Country Planning (Local Planning) (England) Regulations 2012 and the Planning and Compulsory Purchase Act 2004

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Local Plan timetable

The most recent timetable for producing the Local Plan is set out in the updated Local Development Scheme (PDF).

This was recommended for approval by Cabinet on 1 July 2026 and approved by Full Council on 6 August 2026.

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What happens next

We will collate and review all representations received during the Regulation 19 publication stage.

We will then submit the Local Plan, evidence, supporting documents and your comments to the Secretary of State for independent examination.

Your representations will be considered by the appointed Planning Inspector or Inspectors, who will consider whether the Local Plan is sound and legally compliant.

The Inspector or Inspectors will examine the Local Plan through written representations and public hearings, as appropriate.

They may recommend changes to the Local Plan, known as Main Modifications.

Any Main Modifications would be subject to a further round of public consultation before the examination is concluded.

If you would like to receive notifications and updates about future Local Plan consultations, email swindonlocalplan2043@swindon.gov.uk and ask to be added to the Planning Policy mailing list.

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Regulation 19 publication documents

01. Core documents

02. Whole plan assessments

03. Housing

04. Employment

05. Transport

06. Environment

07. Climate sustainability

  • 07.01 Renewable energy spatial analysis (available shortly)
  • 07.02 Climate change topic paper (available shortly)

08. Local character

09. Sports provision

10. Infrastructure

11. Consultation and engagement

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