Decision

Approval of the letters to be sent to the Inspectors and Planning Inspectorate confirming the decision of Full Council to withdraw the Plan and to proceed with the steps to be taken to withdraw the Plan.

Reasons for the decision

A report was taken to Cabinet on 6 May 2026 and Full Council on 19 May 2026 to seek approval for the withdrawal of the Wiltshire Local Plan Pre-submission Draft Plan 2020-2038 from examination (draft Plan) and set out the next steps for the Wiltshire Local Plan.

In order to implement the decision by Council that the draft Plan is withdrawn from examination, Cabinet delegated authority to the Director of Planning, Economy and Regeneration in consultation with the Director for Legal and Governance to take all necessary steps in line with legislation to complete the withdrawal of the draft Plan from examination. In making this decision, consultation has been undertaken with Perry Holmes, Director for Legal and Governance.

In accordance with the procedural requirements relating to the withdrawal of the plan (Regulations 27 and 35[1]) the following actions are undertaken:

-       Publish a notice that the local plan has been withdrawn on the council’s website

-       Make the notice available for viewing at the council’s main offices

-       Notify each person / body who has been consulted on the local plan during its preparation that the local plan has been withdrawn

-       Make it clear on the webpages that the local plan has been withdrawn

-       After a period of six weeks the Programme Officers examination website will cease to be public and the council’s webpages will have been updated.

Prior to the legal steps outlined in Paragraph 4 being undertaken, and following the decision of Council to withdraw the draft Plan, there is also a need to inform the Inspectors undertaking the examination of the draft Plan of the decision and to formally notify the Planning Inspectorate of the decision, receipt of response of the latter letter then marking the withdrawal of the plan from examination. 

I confirm that in making this decision I have considered the following in line with Wiltshire Council’s Constitution:

Key decision requirements

Covered by Cabinet and Full Council decisions.

Views of relevant Cabinet member(s), Committee Chairman, Area board(s)

Covered by Cabinet and Full Council decisions.

Consultation with cabinet member(s), the Leader and Scrutiny (for Executive decisions taken under Emergency Powers)

Not applicable.

Consultation in accordance with the council’s consultation guidance and the views emanating from that process

Not applicable.

Implication of any council policy, initiative, strategy or procedure

Covered by Cabinet and Full Council decisions.

Staffing, financial and legal implications

Covered by Cabinet and Full Council decisions.

There is a legal process that must be followed when a local plan is withdrawn as contained within the Planning and Compulsory Purchase Act 2004 (as amended) and Town and Country Planning (Local Planning) (England) Regulations 2012 (as amended).

The assessment of any associated risks in accordance with the Council’s risk management strategy;

Covered by Cabinet and Full Council decisions.

Involvement of appropriate statutory officers and/or corporate directors and directors (Specify)

Perry Holmes, Director for Legal and Governance

Regional or national guidance from other bodies where relevant

Not applicable.

The council’s constitution, including the Procurement and Contract Rules (Part 10) and the Financial Regulations and Procedure Rules (Part 9), all relevant guidance, legislation, codes of practice, and protocols

Decision made in line with constitutional requirements.

[1]Town and Country Planning (Local Planning) (England) Regulations 2012 (as amended).

Alternative options considered

The decision is enacting the resolution of Cabinet and Full Council and process to be undertaken needs to be consistent with legal requirements.