Stevenage Borough Local Plan Partial Update

The Stevenage Borough Local Plan Partial Update has been prepared in accordance with the Town and Country Planning (Local Planning) (England) Regulations 2012:

• Regulation 18 draft policies preparation: 5 July to 15 August 2024
• Regulation 19 final policies publication: 21 November 2024 to 14 February 2025
• Regulation 19 addendum publication: 24 June to 4 August 2025
• Submission to Secretary of State: 15 August 2025
• Examination in Public Hearing Sessions: 2 to 10 December 2025

The Local Plan Partial Update was submitted to the Secretary of State (MHCLG) on 15 August 2025, ahead of an independent Examination in Public by an appointed Planning Inspector.

The Stevenage Borough Local Plan Partial Update Examination in Public Hearing sessions were held from 2–10 December 2025 and conducted by an independent Planning Inspector (PINS). Further details regarding the Examination in Public can be viewed at the dedicated Examination website.

At the conclusion of the Examination in Public Hearing sessions, the Inspector advised that the Plan was capable of being found sound, but that Main Modifications (MM) would be required.

The substantive changes to the Partial Update (as submitted) and the version of the Local Plan that is subject to Main Modifications consultation include:

• Ensure the new Climate Change Policies are effective, justified by the evidence base and are sufficiently flexible to ensure they do not prejudice the delivery of development in the Borough.
• Partial updates to the housing elements of the adopted Plan to make clear that the housing requirement remains unchanged as a result of the partial update.
• Replace the proposed requirement for M4(3)(2)(b) wheelchair accessible dwellings with the requirement for M4(3) wheelchair user dwellings. This is because the specific requirement for M4(3)(2)(b) dwellings is not justified.
• Ensure the updated policies and new policies are consistent with national policy, justified and effective.

 The Main Modifications should be read in the context of:

• Adopted Stevenage Borough Local Plan May 2019.
• Submitted Stevenage Borough Local Plan Partial Update – Schedule of Changes to the Adopted Local Plan, submitted August 2025.
• Submitted Stevenage Borough Local Plan Partial Update - Draft Policies Map, submitted August 2025.

The full schedule of proposed Main Modifications to the Local Plan Partial Update (MMs) are available to download below.

• Detailed Schedule of Changes - the MMs only.
• Track changes version to show the MMs in the context of the overall Local Plan Partial Update, as submitted.

The Main Modifications are supported by:

• Additional Modifications for clarity, which are not before the Inspector for consideration
• Sustainability Appraisal / Strategic Environmental Assessment and Habitats Regulation Assessment Screening
• Equalities Impact Assessment.

These can be downloaded below.

When Main Modifications (MMs) are recommended at the conclusion of the Hearing Sessions, a final consultation on any modifications proposed by the Inspector to the Plan is then held prior to the Inspector’s Report, which would confirm whether the Plan can progress to formal adoption.

How to respond

Consultation on the Local Plan Partial Update Main Modifications runs until 31 March 2026.

Key points of note

• The consultation is only about the proposed MMs;
• There are no proposed Policies Map changes to the version submitted to the Secretary of State in August 2025;
• The MMs are put forward without prejudice to the Inspector’s final conclusions;
• All representations made will be taken into account by the Inspector.

Please view the Statement of Representations procedure:

Please respond by completing the response form below and returning by e-mail (using the email address below) or post to: Planning Policy, Stevenage Borough Council, Daneshill House, Danestrete, Stevenage SG1 1HN.

Alternatively please send responses by e-mail to Planning.Policy_SBC@stevenage.gov.uk