Local Plan review

Information on our review of the Local Plan and how to take part.

The review of the local plan is continuing. It will set out how Bristol will develop over the next 20 years.

The new plan will help deliver the new homes and jobs we need and safeguard the environmental assets we value.

It's being prepared in cooperation with neighbouring councils so that planning issues are addressed across the wider region. We are working to this timetable (pdf, 98KB) (opens new window) :

• 2020: New studies and evidence. Call for sites continues.
• 2021: Consultation on issues and options for development (Regulation 18).
• 2022: Publication version to be approved and made available for comment (Regulation 19).
• 2023: Examination by planning inspector. New local plan to be adopted (Autumn 2023).

Spatial Development Strategy 

The West of England Combined Authority (WECA) are preparing a Spatial Development strategy.

The strategy will make sure homes, employment spaces and transport links are planned in the right places over the next 20 years. Bristol’s local plan will be in line with this strategy.

You can find out more on the WECA website.

Progressing Bristol's Development 

Progressing Bristol’s Development is a statement about planning in Bristol which explains the current approach to making planning decisions. An accompanying practice note  will be available in November.

• Progressing Bristol’s Development (pdf, 1MB) (opens new window)

Call for sites 

Developers, landowners and other organisations are invited to tell us about potential sites for housing and / or economic development within Bristol City Council area.  

Proposed sites should be submitted using the form available below:

Call for Sites form (word doc, 70KB) (opens new window)

Local Plan review consultation 2019

We held a consultation on the Local Plan from March to May 2019.

• the Local Plan’s draft policies (pdf, 7.8MB) (opens new window)
• the draft site allocations (pdf, 6.7MB) (opens new window)
• the proposals for protection of open space (pdf, 11.8MB) (opens new window)
• list of policies and site allocations proposed to be retained (pdf, 94KB) (opens new window)

Here's a summary of the responses we received to the latest consultation:

Summary of responses to the March 2019 consultation (pdf, 2.2MB) (opens new window)

Sustainability appraisal

The Sustainability Appraisal Scoping Report (pdf, 1.7MB) (opens new window) outlines the scope of the update to the Bristol Local Plan.

Questions on the Local Plan review

If you have any questions about the Local Plan review, email blp@bristol.gov.uk.