Thanet District Council has published its new Local Plan Timetable

Thanet District Council has published its new Local Plan Timetable following approval at Cabinet on Tuesday 2 June 2026. The decision marks the first steps in preparing a Local Plan under the newly introduced national plan-making system.

The Local Plan is a vital document that details how an area will grow over the long term and crucially how development will be managed to best protect the district. 

Guidance from the government outlines a range of matters the plan must address. These include achieving sustainable development (making sure that development balances social, economic and environmental priorities), meeting housing and employment needs and ensuring the vitality of town centres. It also includes ensuring that the supporting infrastructure can be provided, including health, education, transport and utilities.  Promoting sustainable transport as well as meeting the challenge of climate change and conserving and enhancing the natural environment also feature. The plan also importantly identifies areas of the district that need to be protected.

As well as the Local Plan Timetable, the council has also published a formal notice of intention to start preparation.

A public scoping consultation for the draft Local Plan will launch later in the summer, running from late August until early October 2026. During the consultation period, people will be invited to share their views on what the plan should contain and how future public engagement should be carried out.

In addition, the council will run a further ‘call for sites’ for potential development.

As part of the National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF) rules, the council must also create a list of important local heritage sites. Residents will be invited to take part in this process by suggesting historical or culturally significant landmarks that deserve special protection. 

Councillor Rick Everitt, Leader of the Council and Cabinet Member for Strategy, Planning and Climate Change said: "Starting this new Local Plan is an important milestone for our district. This process allows us to address vital issues like delivering the housing we need, protecting our natural environment, and creating a truly thriving place, in line with our corporate priorities.

"We are keen to firmly establish long-term vision, aims, and objectives for Thanet. Doing this exercise now, ahead of Local Government Reorganisation, gives us the opportunity to clearly reflect the specific needs of Thanet within the plan. An up to date plan allows us to better protect the areas that we do not want to see developed. Our geography, demographic profile and economic status have a bearing on proposals for growth and development in the area. 

“Public involvement is a key part of this, and we look forward to hearing from our residents and businesses to ensure the new plan reflects Thanet’s needs."

The council aims to submit the final Local Plan to the government for examination by March 2028, with final adoption targeted for February 2029.

Thanet is among the first councils in Kent to prepare a plan under this new system. To support this early progress, the council has been awarded a £108,000 grant from the government's Local Plan Implementation Fund. This will support the development of the evidence base for the Plan.

The existing Local Plan, supporting documents and updates are available on the website.