In May 2026, the council moved preparation of the new local plan from the ‘legacy’ planning system to the ‘new’ planning system and, based on what was known at the time, to start to strategically prepare for future plan making as part of the then anticipated unitary authorities.
However, on 7 September 2026, the Government suddenly announced the withdrawal of the Hampshire LGR decision.
A statement by the Leader of the Council explains that the council will now continue with the East Hampshire local plan, and continue to exercise its duty to plan making.
A further timetable for the local plan will follow.