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The Local Development Scheme explains which planning policy documents will be produced over the next three years, how they will be prepared and when they will be produced.

We have been notified by Natural England that developments within the Sussex North water supply area must not add to impacts on protected nature conservation sites, and must ensure that they are ‘water neutral’. More information on this is provided on our water resources webpage.

This caused delays to the Local Plan review, as the council must demonstrate that the level of growth identified in the Local Plan will not have an adverse effect on the integrity of designated sites, either alone or in combination.

Following the publication of the Water Neutrality Part C Mitigation Strategy, a timetable for the Local Plan review was agreed. The Local Plan was published and submitted to the Secretary of State for its independent examination in accordance with that timetable.

Following the announcement of the General Election in July 2024, the Local Plan timetable to its adoption has been reconsidered. The Local Development Scheme has been formally updated accordingly and is published below.