Proposed Supplementary Plan: questions and answers
East Hampshire District Council is proposing to prepare a Supplementary Plan for delivering well-designed places.
The proposal is being put forward as part of the new planning system introduced by the Government in 2026. Subject to Cabinet approval, the Supplementary Plan would set out more detailed requirements for the design and layout of new development across East Hampshire (outside of the South Downs National Park).
It would work alongside the Council’s existing Local Plan and other parts of the development plan, while the Council continues to prepare a new-style Local Plan under the Government’s new planning system.
The Supplementary Plan is intended to help ensure that new development is well designed, responds to East Hampshire’s local character and creates attractive, sustainable and climate-resilient places.
What is a Supplementary Plan?
A Supplementary Plan is a new type of planning document introduced as part of the Government’s new planning system.
It can be used by a local planning authority to introduce more detailed planning policies on particular subjects. In East Hampshire, we are proposing to use it to set requirements for the design and layout of new development.
Unlike the Supplementary Planning Documents (SPDs) used under the previous planning system, a Supplementary Plan would form part of the development plan and would have the same weight as a Local Plan when planning applications are being decided.
Supplementary Planning Documents are being phased out under the new system. Supplementary Plans are intended to provide planning authorities with a way of responding more quickly to particular planning issues or establishing design policies.
Why is East Hampshire proposing to prepare a Supplementary Plan?
The Council's previous work on a new Local Plan included detailed policies and evidence about the design of new development.
That Local Plan work is now transitioning to the Government's new planning system, but will take time. However, in the meantime, some important parts of the work that was undertaken can still help inform a Supplementary Plan.
The proposed Supplementary Plan would provide an opportunity to put updated design requirements in place more quickly than would be possible through a full Local Plan.
It would also help the Council meet the requirement in the new planning system for local planning authorities to include appropriate design requirements within their development plan.
Does this mean there won't be a new Local Plan?
No. The Supplementary Plan would not replace a new Local Plan.
The Council intends to continue preparing a new Local Plan under the Government's new planning system. The Local Plan would have a much broader role, setting the overall strategy for development in East Hampshire, including matters such as the overall pattern and scale of development and how different needs are met.
The Supplementary Plan would have a much narrower focus, concentrating on design and related requirements for new development.
In simple terms:
- The Local Plan sets the overall strategy and framework for development and includes site allocations.
- The Supplementary Plan would provide more detailed requirements for the design and layout of new development. It does not direct where development goes and does not include site allocations.
Would the Supplementary Plan replace the existing Local Plan?
No, not as a whole.
The Supplementary Plan would need to take account of the existing development plan, including the adopted Local Plan and made neighbourhood plans.
If a policy in the Supplementary Plan were intended to supersede an existing policy, this would need to be identified as part of the plan-making and consultation process. Government regulations require a Supplementary Plan to identify policies that it considers supersede other policies in the development plan.
What would the Supplementary Plan contain?
The proposed Supplementary Plan would focus on how new development should be designed and laid out.
Subject to consultation with local communities and interested parties, it is expected to cover matters including:
- creating attractive and well-designed streets and public spaces;
- protecting and responding to local character;
- landscaping, planting and green infrastructure;
- making effective use of land while avoiding perceptions of over-development;
- the design and arrangement of car parking;
- sustainable transport connections and opportunities for walking and cycling;
- water efficiency;
- climate resilience and aspects of design that can help reduce energy use;
- protecting and enhancing nature and habitats within new development.
The final content would be developed and tested through the plan-making process. It would also need to comply with national planning policy and legislation.
Will the Supplementary Plan decide where new homes or other development should be built?
No. The proposed Supplementary Plan would be focused on design requirements, rather than allocating sites for development or setting the overall number of homes to be provided.
Those wider strategic matters are for the Local Plan and other relevant parts of the development plan.
There will be no site allocations in the Supplementary Plan.
How would it affect planning applications?
When adopted, the Supplementary Plan would form part of the development plan and would therefore be taken into account when planning applications are decided.
For example, where a planning application proposes new housing, the Supplementary Plan could set out requirements relating to the layout of streets, buildings, landscaping, parking, green infrastructure, movement and connections to surrounding areas.
The Council would consider these requirements alongside the other policies in the development plan, national planning policy and other material considerations.
Why is the council doing this now?
The Government introduced a new planning system in 2026. The new system provides local planning authorities with the option of preparing Supplementary Plans alongside their wider plan-making work.
The council is considering using this opportunity to address local design requirements while work on a new Local Plan continues.
Preparing a focused Supplementary Plan is expected to be quicker and less comprehensive than preparing a full Local Plan. It would allow the council to make use of substantial planning policy work and consultation already undertaken, while developing updated requirements that respond to current national and local circumstances.
Where can I find out more?
Further information, including the proposed timetable and consultation documents, will be published on the council's website as the Supplementary Plan progresses.
The Government's guidance on the new planning system also explains how Supplementary Plans fit into the wider planning system.