Emerging Draft Local Plan
The Council undertook a second ‘focused’ Regulation 19 consultation (from 20 June 2025 to 1 August 2025) - which focused specifically on three policies, five site allocations and several evidence documents - to address issues of soundness raised by stakeholders. Prior to this, the council carried out a consultation (under Regulation 19) on the full Local Plan in Autumn/Winter of 2024. Both consultations have now closed.
Subject to Full Council approval, both documents that form the proposed submission draft local plan will be submitted to the Planning Inspectorate for Independent Examination later in 2025 or early in 2026, alongside all representations from both Regulation 19 consultations.
What is the Local Plan and why are we reviewing it?
As the council’s most important planning document, the Local Plan is used to guide decisions on planning applications in the borough. This means that if someone wants to develop a new building or change its use, they should make sure it follows the policies in the Local Plan.
The current Local Plan was adopted in January 2020 and a number of the objectives, policies and guidance contained within this plan could now be considered out-of-date as national and regional guidance is progressively updated. Once adopted, this new plan will replace the currently adopted plan which plans until 2031.
Weight given to the Proposed Submission Version of the Plan
The Council has prepared and consulted upon a new Local Plan (“draft Local Plan”) for the Borough. Whilst the plan has reached an advanced stage (Regulation 19), the text and policies of that document remain in draft form. Subject to Full Council approval, both documents that form the proposed submission draft local plan will be submitted to the Planning Inspectorate for Independent Examination later this year or early in 2026. All representations from both Regulation 19 consultations (Autumn 2024 & Summer 2025) will be sent to the Planning Inspectorate. Following the Examination in Public (EiP) there will be a consultation on any ‘main modifications’ recommended by the independent planning inspector. The inspector will then provide a final ‘Inspectors Report’; if that report finds the plan sound, the plan can then be adopted (subject to Full Council approval.)
The weight which should be accorded to policies in the draft Local Plan is guided by paragraph 048 of the National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF) and paragraph 049 of the Planning Practice Guidance (Local Plans). These state that a draft Local Plan may be given weight according to the stage of preparation of that plan, the extent to which there are unresolved objections to the relevant policies, and the degree of consistency between the relevant policies in the draft plan and the policies in the NPPF. A consultation statement from the Autumn 2024 consultation (Regulation 19) has been published which provides an overview of the level and nature of unresolved objections to draft policies. A consultation statement from the Summer 2025 consultation (Regulation 19) will be prepared to go alongside submission setting out unresolved objections from this additional stage of consultation. Until such time as the draft Local Plan is adopted by the Council, the currently adopted Tower Hamlets Local Plan 2020 (or the London Legacy Development Corporation Local Plan 2020 where relevant) and the London Plan 2021 remain the primary Development Plan documents used to determine applications.
Where can I view recent consultation documents?
All information from previous consultations can be found on our Let's Talk page which will allow you to view documents in relation to the emerging Local Plan. You can also contact us at localplan@towerhamlets.gov.uk if you require further information.
Submitting representations on the Draft Plan
Consultation on the draft local plan has now ended and the Council is not accepting any further submission.
Next steps
Following this stage of the Local Plan, we anticipate submitting the plan to the Secretary of State (SoS) in late 2025 or early 2026. The SoS will then appoint an independent planning inspector who will examine the Plan and recommend any modifications that are required before it can be found sound and adopted. We are currently expecting for the Local Plan to be adopted in late 2026 or early 2027, but this will depend on the length of the examination and the availability of planning inspectors to carry out the examination. Once the Local Plan has gone through the process of examination and is adopted, the Local Plan will replace the current Local Plan which was adopted in 2020.
Early engagement - Early 2023
You're helping us understand the issues we need to tackle and finalise the vision and objectives.
Regulation 18 - Autumn/Winter 2023
We'll ask for your thoughts on the options we've identified to tackle the issues, along with potential locations for future development.
Regulation 19 – Autumn/Winter 2024
We'll ask you for your thoughts on our proposed plan.
Regulation 19 (Focused consultation) – Summer 2025 (current stage) ⬅️
We'll ask you for your thoughts on three policies and five site allocations (and the evidence supporting them).
Plan submitted - early 2026
The plan will be submitted to the Secretary of State.
Examination - 2026
An independent planning inspector will examine the plan, evidence and the comments made, to test if it is 'sound'.
Adoption - late 2026 or early 2027
The plan will be adopted and used to inform decisions on planning applications.