Local Plan timetable

Key stages and dates for preparing the Cumberland Local Plan.

The Local Plan timetable sets out the main stages for preparing the Cumberland Local Plan, including consultation periods, gateway assessments and publication points.

The timetable is required under the Town and Country Planning (Local Planning) (England) Regulations 2026, Part 2, Regulation 4, also incorporating a minerals and waste timetable.

Cumberland Council has given notice of its intention to commence preparation of a new local plan, which is to be referred to as the Cumberland Local Plan. The Cumberland Local Plan will set out the spatial vision and key objectives for the future development of the administrative area of Cumberland Council, excluding the area within the Lake District National Park. It will contain policies and site allocations to deliver these objectives and will include policies on minerals and waste.

The Council does not intend to prepare any supplementary plans at this time.

A statement that the local plan timetable is to have effect is required in accordance with Regulation 8 of the Town and Country Planning (Local Planning) (England) Regulations 2026 and for the purpose of this statement, the local plan timetable is to have effect and be made available from the 30 June 2026.

Timetable for plan preparation

Stage of plan preparationDate
Publish timetable30 June 2026
Publish Notice of Intention to Commence Plan Making30 June 2026
Scoping consultation - start14 September 2026
Scoping consultation - end23 October 2026
Gateway 1 - Self-assessment30 October 2026
Plan content and evidence consultation- start16 August 2027
Plan content and evidence consultation- start1 October 2027
Gateway 2 - Advice sought3 January 2028
Gateway 2 - Advice published11 February 2028
Proposed plan consultation - start15 May 2028
Proposed plan consultation - end7 July 2028
Gateway 3 - Advice sought2 October 2028
Gateway 3 - Advice published30 October 2028
Plan submitted for examination3 November 2028
Examination recommendations - published30 March 2029
Adopted23 April 2029

The timetable must be updated at least monthly and when key stages take place.

View or request a copy

You can view the timetable in person at:

  • Civic Centre, Rickergate, Carlisle, CA3 8QG (Monday to Thursday 9am to 5pm, Friday 9am to 4pm)
  • Allerdale House, New Bridge Road, Workington, CA14 3YJ (Monday to Thursday 9am to 4:30pm, Friday 9am to 4pm)
  • Market Hall, Market Place, Whitehaven, CA28 7JG (Monday to Friday 10am to midday, 2pm to 4pm)

To request a copy, contact the planning policy team:

Email: [email protected]