Local Plan Interim Timetable

This webpage is OPDC’s Local Plan Interim Timetable published on 23 February 2026. The Interim Timetable sets out information for the review of OPDC’s Local Plan and for the emerging West London Waste Plan. It replaces the Local Development Scheme.

Why is the Local Plan Timetable interim?

The Government has published initial guidance for producing new Local Plans, including timeframes for their production. This guidance will continue to be updated. We are also waiting for legislation to confirm which production milestones need to be included in the Local Plan Timetable. Until these are confirmed, the Local Plan Timetable remains interim. Once the milestones are known, the Timetable will be updated and confirmed.

The programme remains contingent on the publication of further government guidance and the London Plan programme.

The West London Waste Plan timetable is not interim; however, it may be subject to change. Any changes will be set out in updates to the Timetable.

Why do the milestones differ for the plans?

The timetables show different milestones for the Local Plan Review and the West London Waste Plan. This is because the West London Waste Plan is being developed under the old plan making system and the Local Plan Review will be developed under the new plan making system. 

Local Plan Review interim timetable

The new Local Plan will apply to the OPDC area. It will include a spatial vision, site allocations, thematic and spatial policies.

1. Get Ready Phase

• Notice of Intent to Commence Local Plan Preparation – January 2027

OPDC publishes this notice to give communities and stakeholders advanced notice of when plan-making will formally commence at the start of the 30-month plan preparation phase.

• Scoping Consultation – February to March 2027

OPDC invites comments from communities and stakeholders on what the Local Plan should contain and how future engagement on the plan should be carried out.

2. Plan Preparation Phase

• Gateway 1 self-assessment summary publication and start of 30-month plan preparation period – June 2027

OPDC publishes the Gateway 1 self-assessment summary. It’s at this point the 30-month plan preparation period starts.

• Consultation 1 – November to December 2027

OPDC consults on a proposed vision, outcomes, aims, objectives, summary of proposed approach to policies and site allocations, summary of evidence base and any other appropriate supporting information.

• Gateway 2 advice publication – November 2028

OPDC publishes the Gateway 2 assessor’s observations and advice. Gateway 2 involves OPDC seeking observations and advice from the Planning Inspectorate in relation to progressing towards preparing a sound Local Plan, meeting some of the Gateway 3 requirements and what further work could be carried out.

• Consultation 2 – December 2028 to January 2029

OPDC consults on the proposed Local Plan submission documents including the proposed Local Plan, map of proposed policies, conformity with the London Plan, details of evidence, details of the scoping and consultation 1 including a summary of the main issues raised and how main issues have been addressed.

• Gateway 3 – May 2029

OPDC publishes the Gateway 3 assessor’s observations and advice. Gateway 3 involves OPDC seeking observations and advice from the Planning Inspectorate in relation to meeting legal requirements (to be defined).

3. Submission and Examination Phase

• Submission – June 2029

OPDC submits the Local Plan and related documents to the Planning Inspectorate for Examination.

• Examination – July to November 2029

The Planning Inspectorate appoints independent Examiner(s) to examine the Local Plan. This may involve public hearings.

• Adoption – December 2029

OPDC’s Board considers adoption of the Local Plan to OPDC’s ‘development plan’ for the area.

West London Waste Plan timetable

The new West London Waste Plan will apply to the OPDC area and six west London Boroughs. It will include a vision, waste site allocations and thematic waste policies.

• Second consultation (Regulation 19) – Summer 2026
• Submission – December 2026
• Examination – March to November 2027
• Adoption – February 2028