We are preparing the Local Development Plan (LDP) which will replace the current adopted Unitary Development Plan. The LDP will be a long-term land use and development strategy, focused on achieving sustainable development and will:

  • guide development for housing, employment, retail and other uses
  • set out policies that will be used to decide planning applications
  • safeguard areas of land requiring protection or enhancement

Visit the LDP Consultation Portal to view the latest information on the preparation of the Wrexham Local Development Plan 2013 - 2028.

Key preparation stages

These are broad timescales and indicative times have been built in for consultation.

Key preparation stages
Stage Local Development Plan Steps SA / SEA Steps Start / Completion Dates
A - Definitive Stages      
Revised Delivery Agreement (Regulations 9 and 10 of LDP Regs 2005)
  • Prepare, amend (if appropriate) and agree/ approve
  • WG Approval of Delivery Agreement
  
  • January 2013
Revised Oct 2014
Revised July 2017
  • December 2014
October 2017
Evidence Base
  • Develop and consider the implications of the evidence base (includes Call for Candidate Sites)
  • Alternative sites
  
  • March 2012 Ongoing
  • November 2012 – February 2013
  • February 2016- April 2016
Issues and Options
Pre-deposit participation (Regulation 14)
  • Develop strategic vision and objectives
  • Identify critical issues and alternative strategic growth and spatial options
  • Set the context and establish the baseline
  • Prepare methodology, objectives and indicators
  • Decide on the Scoping Report
 COMPLETED
January – March 2015 (Key Stakeholder consultation January – March 2015)
Preferred Strategy
Pre-deposit public consultation (six weeks) (Regulations 15 and 16)
  • Evaluate alternative strategic spatial options
  • Select preferred spatial strategy
  • Appraise the Plan's strategic alternative options
  • Assess the effects of the Plan
  • Assess policies or proposals that may have significant environmental effects
 COMPLETED May – 2015 - February 2016 (10 months) (Public Consultation February – April 2016)
Deposit Local Development Plan (six weeks) (Regulations 17)
  • Statutory consultation on the full Plan and related documents to allow for formal representations to be made.
  • Prepare and publish the Sustainability Appraisal (including the Environmental Report)
 May 2016 – April 2018) (Public consultation April – May 2018)
B. Indicative Stages      
Submission of the LDP to National Assembly for Examination (Regulation 22)
  • The council will formally submit the LDP and supporting documentation (including representations) to the Welsh Government
  • Amend the Sustainability Appraisal (including the Environmental Report)
 November 2018
Independent Examination in Public (Regulation 23) Public Examination
  • An Inspector will independently test the "soundness" of the Plan
  • Prepare and publish a statement of how sustainable development is considered in the Plan
 (dependent on Planning Inspectorate)
Inspector’s Report (Regulation 24)
  • An Inspector will present to the council his/her report which will be binding on the council.
   (dependent on Planning Inspectorate)
Adoption (Regulation 24 25)
  • To make the operative LDP as the statutory Development Plan for the Local Planning Authority’s area.
   Spring 2019
Annual Monitoring and Review (Regulation 37)
  • The council will review the Plan and submit annual monitoring reports to Welsh Government.
  • Monitor the significant environmental effects of the Plan's implementation
 Annually

 

Related information

Planning Policy Wales (external link)
Local development plans: government responses (external link)
Welsh Government planning guidance (external link)
Contact our planning department