What is the Emerging Local Plan?

The Local Plan is a legal document which the council are required to prepare following a process set out in legislation and having regard to the National Planning Policy Framework and National Planning Policy Guidance.

The Local Plan is an important legal document which provides an opportunity to:

• shape the places that we live, work and socialise;
• address needs and opportunities in relation to local housing, the local economy, community facilities and infrastructure;
• have a positive impact on the natural and built environment; and
• mitigate and adapt to climate change

The council is preparing a new Local Plan which will include a new strategy and planning policies to guide and manage growth and change across the borough to 2043, to ensure that local development is built in accordance with the principles of sustainable development.

Once adopted, the new Local Plan will replace the current Ashford Local Plan 2030. A short animation that we've produced below explains what the new Local Plan is all about, the process we must follow to produce it and how you can get involved.

Latest news - Local Plan timetable published

The council published its formal notice to commence work on the Ashford Local Plan 2043 on 30 June 2026. This also included publishing a timetable for the Local Plan preparation.

(Please note that all work on the Ashford Local Plan 2042 has been superseded by the work on the Ashford Local Plan 2043, which will be prepared in accordance with the new plan making system).

View a copy of the Notice of Intention to Commence Local Plan preparation and Local Plan timetable.