Statement that the Local Plan timetable is to have effect
Wirral Council is preparing a new Local Plan under the revised plan-making system introduced through the Levelling Up and Regeneration Act 2023 and the Town and Country Planning (Local Planning) (England) Regulations 2026 .
In accordance with Regulation 8 of the Town and Country Planning (Local Planning) (England) Regulations 2026, the Local Plan timetable is to have effect from 30 June 2026.
The timetable sets out the key stages, milestones and statutory requirements for preparing the new Local Plan. This replaces the Local Development Scheme for the now-adopted Wirral Local Plan 2022-2040.
Wirral Local Plan 2045 Timetable
Below is the current timetable for preparing the Wirral Local Plan 2045, which will cover the administrative area of Wirral. This timetable will be updated as the plan progresses.
| Stage | Regulation | Indicative Start Dates | Indicative End Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| Information gathering including Call for Sites | May 2026 | Ongoing | |
| Notice of Intention to Commence Local Plan Preparation | Regulation 19 | By 30 June 2026 | |
| Notice of scoping consultation: Local Plan | Regulation 20 (1) b | July 2026 (3 week period) | August 2026 |
| Date on or before which representations of scoping consultation will have to be received by the Local Planning Authority | Regulation 20 (4) | August 2026 | |
| Gateway 1: self-assessment summary | Regulation 21 | By 31 October 2026 | |
| Publish summary of scoping consultation | Regulation 22 | November 2026 | December 2026 |
| Consultation on proposed local plan content and evidence (Vision and Strategy) | Regulation 23 | July 2027 for 6 weeks | September 2027 |
| Date on or before which representations of consultation on proposed Local Plan content and evidence) have to be received by the Local Planning Authority | Regulation 23 (4) | September 2027 | |
| Publish summary of consultation on proposed local plan content and evidence | Regulation 24 | December 2027 | December 2027 |
| Gateway 2: observations and advice (4-6 weeks) | Regulation 26 | January 2028 | February 2028 |
| Notice of consultation on the proposed local plan | Regulation 27 | June 2028 for 8 weeks | August 2028 |
| Date on or before which representations of consultation on proposed Local Plan have to be received by the Local Planning Authority | Regulation 27 (4a) | August 2028 | |
| Publish summary of consultation on the proposed local plan | Regulation 27 | November 2028 | November 2028 |
| Gateway 3: prescribed requirements assessment | Regulation 31 | November 2028 | November 2028 |
| Plan submission | Regulation 34 | December 2028 | December 2028 |
| Examination | Regulation 35 | December – May/June 2029 | |
| Plan adoption (indicative) | Regulation 39 | June 2029 | |
Local Plan 2045 data
The csv file below contains basic information about the Wirral Local Plan 2045 and is published as required by The Planning Data (England) Regulations 2026. This data is provided under the Open Government Licence.
Wirral Local Plan Timetable (csv)
Availability of Documents
The timetable is also available in the Government's approved data standard.
The Notice of Intention to Commence and Local Plan timetable can be viewed at:
- Bebington Central Library
- Birkenhead Central Library
- Eastham Library
- Greasby Library
- Heswall Library
- Moreton Library
- Rock Ferry Library
- Upton Library
- Wallasey Central Library
- West Kirby Library
Copies of the timetable can be made available on request by contacting localplan@wirral.gov.uk.