Decision details

The Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government (MHCLG) intends to enact new Plan-making regulations anticipated at the end of February 2026.

MHCLG guidance published in November 2025 in advance of the regulations outlines that to comply with the new plan-making regulations, Local Planning Authorities are required at the start of the process, to publish a notice of intention to commence, publish a Local Plan Timetable (that will replace the council’s adopted Local Development Scheme July 2025) and undertake scoping consultation.

It is a Council function to approve commencement of a development plan document. Whilst Council resolved to approve the update of the Kirklees Local Plan in November 2023, this decision was made under the current plan making system. A report will be presented to Council on 15^th July 2026 seeking approval to commence plan-making under the impending new system.

It is a Cabinet function to approve/submit and publish the required elements (outlined above) to start the process. A report will be presented to Cabinet on 24^th March 2026 seeking approval for these plan making activities.

Engagement

MHCLG published new plan making guidance in November 2025 in advance of the enactment of new plan making regulations. Following publication, there has been ongoing dialogue with Planning Advisory Service to prepare for the regulations and plan for the implications.

Statutory requirements for early engagement have been revised through the new regulations. This is outlined in the report.

Background papers

MHCLG Plan-making regulations explainer November 2025: Plan-making regulations explainer - GOV.UK

RESOLVED –

1)    That approval be given to a full update of the Kirklees Local Plan commences in accordance with the Town and Country Planning (Local Planning) (England) Regulations 2026.

2)    That approval be given to the submission of a notice of intention to commence the Kirklees Local Plan update to the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government (MHCLG) and its publication (Regulation 19).

3)    That approval be given to the updated Local Plan Timetable, to its submission to MHCLG and its publication (Regulation 4 and 5).

4)    That authority be delegated to the Executive Director of Place in consultation with the Finance and Regeneration Portfolio Holder to update and publish the Local Plan Timetable monthly or as required to ensure an up-to-date timetable is publicly available (Regulation 6).

5)    That authority be delegated to the Executive Director of Place in consultation with the Finance and Regeneration Portfolio Holder to agree commencement of the scoping consultation (Regulation 20).

6)    That authority be delegated to the Executive Director of Place in consultation with the Finance and Regeneration Portfolio Holder to approve, submit and publish documents for Gateway 1 self-assessment (Regulation 21), Gateway 2 (Regulation 26) and Gateway 3 (Regulation 31).

7)    That authority be delegated to the Executive Director of Place in consultation with the Finance and Regeneration Portfolio Holder to agree the content of and commencement of Consultation: Proposed Local Plan content and evidence, including draft vision (Regulation 23) and Consultation on the proposed local plan (Regulation 27) with feedback brought back to a future meeting.