New Local Plan
We are preparing a new Swindon Local Plan to guide growth and development to 2043, with a wider vision to 2055.
On adoption, the 2043 Local Plan will replace the current Swindon Local Plan 2026. It will set a strategic vision for housing, employment, infrastructure, transport and the environment to support sustainable growth that meets the needs of residents, businesses and the community.
The Local Plan is a key planning document. It sets out housing and employment needs and allocations, policies and strategies, and how we will meet national and local objectives to achieve economic growth across the borough.
The proposed plan period is 2023 to 2043.
Regulation 18 consultation
Swindon Borough Council undertook a Regulation 18 Consultation on the emerging Local Plan 2043 between Monday, 1 September 2025 and Monday, 13 October 2025. Residents, landowners and other stakeholders were invited to comment on our proposals for development up to 2043.
This consultation is now closed and officers are processing the representations received. Representations and a Consultation Statement will be published in due course.
To receive updates on planning policy documents and consultations, email: SwindonLocalPlan2043@swindon.gov.uk and ask to be added to the planning policy mailing list.
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Local Plan timetable
The most recent timetable for the production of the Local Plan is set out in the updated Local Development Scheme (LDS) (PDF). This was recommended for approval by Cabinet on 19 March 2025 (item 97), and approved by Full Council on 3 April 2025.
How we handle your data
Read our privacy notice to find out how we use your information.
What happens next
We will consider all submissions received during the Regulation 18 consultation. We will then publish a consultation summary that sets out our response and the main issues raised.
There will be a further opportunity to comment at the Regulation 19 consultation, which will present the next iteration of the plan. This is intended to take place in spring 2026. This will be the final consultation before we submit the Local Plan to the Secretary of State.
Between Regulation 18 and Regulation 19, we will make any changes needed in light of the comments received during Regulation 18, the latest evidence and any changes to national policy.
Consultation documents
01. The Local Plan (Regulation 18)
- 01.01 Local Plan 2023 to 2043 (Regulation 18) (PDF)
- 01.02 Policies map Borough (PDF)
- Central area inset policy map (PDF)
- Central east inset policy map (PDF)
- Central north inset policy map (PDF)
- Central south inset policy map (PDF)
- North east inset policy map (PDF)
- North inset policy map (PDF)
- South east inset policy map (PDF)
- South inset policy map (PDF)
- West inset policy map (PDF)
Evidence documents
The emerging Local Plan is supported by the following evidence. The evidence base reflects the information available at this stage and will continue to be developed and refined. We welcome feedback on the evidence base approaches and findings.
02. Whole plan assessments
- 02.01 Sustainability appraisal: interim report (PDF)
- 02.02 Habitats regulations assessment (PDF)
- 02.03 Viability report (Regulation 18) (PDF)
03. Housing
- 03.01 Local housing needs assessment 2024 (PDF)
- 03.02 Local housing needs assessment: update annex 2025 (PDF)
- 03.03 Strategic Housing and Economic Land Availability Assessment 2025 (Regulation 18) (PDF)
- 03.04 Strategic Housing and Economic Land Availability Assessment: annex 1 map (PDF)
- 03.05 Gypsy, Traveller and Travelling Showpeople accommodation needs assessment 2024 (PDF)
- 03.06 Authority monitoring report 2024 to 2025 (PDF)
- 03.07 Five-year housing land supply statement 2025 (PDF)
- 03.08 New site allocations breakdown (PDF)
04. Employment
- 04.01 Employment needs and land supply study: final (PDF)
- 04.02 Retail and main town centre uses: needs study 2024 (PDF)
05. Transport
- 05.01 Transport vision paper: draft 2025 (PDF)
- 05.02 Local cycling and walking infrastructure plan 2022
- 05.03 Local transport plan 4, 2022 to 2036 (PDF)
06. Environment
- 06.01 Green infrastructure strategy 2024
- 06.02 Interim open spaces audit (PDF)
- 06.03 Level 1 strategic flood risk assessment (PDF)
- Appendix A: setting maps (PDFs)
- Appendix B: geology maps (PDFs)
- Appendix C: flood risk maps (PDFs)
- Appendix D: site screening (Excel spreadsheet)
- Appendix E: climate change modelling technical note (PDF)
- 06.04 Sequential and exceptions test paper (PDF)
- 06.05 Water cycle study: scoping report (PDF)
07. Climate sustainability
08. Local character
- 08.01 Landscape sensitivity assessment (PDF)
- 08.02 Landscape character assessment (PDF)
- 08.04 Building heights strategy: topic paper (PDF)
- 08.05 Settlements and settlement boundaries: topic paper (PDF)
09. Sports provision
- 09.01 Playing pitch and outdoor sports strategy 2025 (PDF)
- 09.02 Indoor and built sports facilities needs assessment (PDF)