Every local authority is required to have a Development Plan that sets out the policies and proposals for the development and use of land in their area. The current Development Plan for Worthing is the Worthing Core Strategy which was intended to cover the period to 2026. However, since the adoption of the Core Strategy in 2011 there have been significant changes made to the planning system at the national level. The requirements of the National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF), in particular how local authorities need to plan for housing, has had implications for planning at the local level. As a consequence, and to ensure that the Council has a Development Plan in place that conforms to higher level plans and guidance, a full review of the Council’s adopted Core Strategy and the development of a new Local Plan is now required.In response to this, the Council updated its Planning Policy work programme within a revised Local Development Scheme (LDS) which was published in the spring. This established a timetable for the production of a new Local Plan and includes key milestones to inform people when there will be opportunities to be involved in the Plan making process. Given the statutory requirements to collect appropriate evidence and consult widely at each appropriate stage, it is estimated that it will take approximately three years to get a new Plan in place. Before policy and development options can be drafted for consultation it is vital that the Council has an up-to-date evidence base in place to ensure that decisions are informed by robust information. A key housing study has been completed (see right) and further work is now being advanced to assess the local economy. A landscape and biodiversity study is also being progressed which will assess sites that have been promoted for development around the Borough.

The findings of these studies will be reported later this year and it is expected that the Council will be in a position to consult with all interested parties in spring 2016. When adopted,the new Local Plan will become the primary basis upon which planning decisions are made. It will contain a development strategy, development management policies and site allocations (if required) to meet future needs over the next fifteen years.