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South Worcestershire Development Plan

South Worcestershire Development Plan Review (SWDPR)

In this section
South Worcestershire Development Plan Review (SWDPR)
 
 

The three South Worcestershire Councils (SWCs) - Worcester City, Malvern Hills District and Wychavon District Council - started a review of the South Worcestershire Development Plan (SWDP) in late 2017. This was in response to new Government requirements that Development Plans should be updated every five years.

The review will provide an updated plan up to 2041, will update the existing SWDP and where necessary its vision, objectives, spatial strategy and policies for the future development of the South Worcestershire area.

The second part of the plan includes site allocations, policies and policy designations that will provide for the development needs of the area up to 2041.

  • SWDP Review Submission

    On Wednesday 27 September 2023, following the Regulation 19 consultation in November and December 2022, the south Worcestershire Councils have formally submitted the South Worcestershire Development Plan Review (SWDPR) and associated evidence base documents to the Secretary of State for independent examination.

    An independent Inspector will be appointed by the Planning Inspectorate (PINS) to assess the Plan and its accompanying evidence base. The Inspector will take into account the representations received at the Regulation 19 consultation stage and will likely identify matters to consider as part of the examination. Subsequently, the Council and interested parties will be invited to attend a series of hearing sessions. 

    The south Worcestershire Councils have appointed a Programme Officer to organise and administer the examination, including the anticipated public hearing sessions. The timings of these sessions will be confirmed in due course.

  • SWDP Publication Regulation 19 Public Consultation

    The six-week consultation into the publication of the review of the South Worcestershire Development Plan ended at 11.59pm on 23 December 2022.  

    Details can be found here: SWDPR Regulation 19 Publication consultation page 

  • Timetable for the Review

    The South Worcestershire Development Plan is currently at Examination with consultation on the Main Modifications until 5pm on 17 February 2026. The below provides the main stages of the SWDPR:

    • Regulation 19 Publication Consultation - November and December 2022
    • Submission (Regulation 22) – 27 September 2023
    • Independent Examination (Regulation 24) – March - September 2025
    • Receipt of Inspector’s Report (Regulation 25) – March 2026. Exact date to be confirmed.
    • Adoption (Regulation 26) – March 2026. Exact date to be confirmed. 

    Read the SWDP Review Project Plan in full.

    The Local Development Scheme (LDS) was revised and published in December 2025. The updated LDS includes details on the examination dates and the final milestones before the SWDPR is adopted.

    Find out more about Local Development Schemes.

  • Stages of the SWDP Review

  • SWDP Review Publication Consultation (Regulation 19)

    From 1 November 2022 until 23 December 2022 at 23:59 we are consulting on the SWDP Review Publication Consultation (Regulation 19) Plan.

    This is the last stage of public engagement before the Plan is submitted for formal examination by the Government’s Planning Inspectorate.

    The SWDP Review Publication Consultation (Regulation 19) Plan represents what the South Worcestershire Councils consider to be the final version of the Plan.

    View Publication Consultation Page

  • SWDP Review Inspector's Report

         The Inspector's final report was received by the Council on 12 March 2026.