Section 15B Local plan timetableF1

(1)

Each local planning authority must prepare and maintain a document to be known as their “local plan timetable”.

(2)

The local plan timetable must specify—

(a)

the matters which the authority’s local plan for their area is to deal with,

(b)

the geographical area to which the authority’s local plan is to relate,

(c)

any supplementary plans which the authority are to prepare,

(d)

the subject matter and geographical area, site or sites to which each of those supplementary plans is to relate,

(e)

how the authority propose to comply with the requirement in section 15F(1) (requirement in relation to design code),

(f)

whether the authority’s local plan for their area is to be a joint local plan and, if so, each other local planning authority for whose area the joint local plan is to be their local plan,

(g)

whether the authority are to prepare a joint supplementary plan and, if so, each other local planning authority who are to prepare that joint supplementary plan with them,

(h)

any matter or area in respect of which the authority have agreed (or propose to agree) to the constitution of a joint committee under section 15J, and

(i)

a timetable for the preparation of the authority’s local plan for their area, and any supplementary plans the authority are to make, which is consistent with this Part and any regulations made under it.

(3)

If the local planning authority’s local plan for their area is to be a joint local plan, or the authority is to prepare one or more joint supplementary plans, the timetable for each joint plan, specified in the local plan timetable in accordance with subsection (2)(i), must be consistent with the timetable for that plan in the local plan timetable prepared by each other local planning authority who are to prepare that plan.

(4)

If the local planning authority are a minerals and waste planning authority, the local plan timetable may incorporate the authority’s minerals and waste plan timetable.

(5)

The Secretary of State may prescribe—

(a)

the form and content of the local plan timetable;

(b)

further matters which the local plan timetable must deal with.

(6)

If a local planning authority have not prepared a local plan timetable, the Secretary of State or the Mayor of London may—

(a)

prepare a local plan timetable for the authority, and

(b)

direct the authority to bring that timetable into effect.

(7)

The Secretary of State or the Mayor of London may direct the local planning authority to make such amendments to the local plan timetable as the Secretary of State or (as the case may be) Mayor thinks appropriate for the purpose of ensuring full and effective coverage (both geographically and with regard to subject matter) of the authority’s area by the development plan for that area.

(8)

To bring the local plan timetable into effect, the local planning authority must publish it, together with a statement that the timetable is to have effect.

(9)

Once the local plan timetable has effect, the local planning authority must comply with it.

(10)

The Secretary of State may by regulations make provision as to when, or the circumstances in which, a local planning authority must revise their local plan timetable (and that provision may confer a power to direct that a local plan timetable is to be revised).

(11)

Subsections (1) to (9) and section 15BA apply to the revision of a local plan timetable as they apply to the preparation of a local plan timetable.

(12)

For further provision about directions under subsection (6) or (7), see section 15BA.

Annotations

Textual amendments

F1: Ss. 15A-15LH and cross-headings substituted for ss. 15-37 and cross-heading (3.3.2026 for the purpose of making regulations only, excluding ss. 15A-15AI, 15K and 15LE(2)(a)(b)(c)(k)(l)(3); 25.3.2026 in so far as not already in force for the insertion of ss. 15B(1)(2)(a)(c)-(i)(3)-(12), 15BA-15C, 15CA(1)-(6)(a)-(g)(i)(7)(8), 15CB-15EA, 15G-15HA, 15HC-15JB, 15L-15LD, 15LE(1)(2)(d)-(j)(m)-(p)(3)(4), 15LF-15LG and 15LH (in part), otherwise prosp.) by Levelling Up and Regeneration Act 2023 (c. 55), s. 255(3)(b), Sch. 7 (with s. 247); S.I. 2026/169, regs. 2, 3(b) (with Schs. 1, 2) (as amended by S.I. 2026/333, regs. 1(2), 2)

Notes on Part 2

Modifications

C1: Pt. 2 modified (temp.) (28.11.2008) by Local Government (Structural Changes) (Transitional Arrangements) (No.2) Regulations 2008 (S.I. 2008/2867), regs. 1(1), 21(1), 23(2) (with reg. 1(2))
C2: Pt. 2 modified (25.3.2026) by The Planning and Compulsory Purchase Act 2004 (Local Planning) (Modification and Consequential Amendments) (England) Regulations 2026 (S.I. 2026/170), regs. 1(2), 7
C3: Pt. 2 applied (25.3.2026) by The Town and Country Planning (Local Planning) (England) Regulations 2026 (S.I. 2026/186), regs. 1(2), 78(8) (with Sch.)
C4: Pt. 2 modified (16.4.2026) by S.I. 2026/170, reg. 7A (as inserted by The Planning and Compulsory Purchase Act 2004 (Local Planning) (Modification and Consequential Amendments) (England) (Amendment) Regulations 2026 (S.I. 2026/350), regs. 1(2), 2)