New Plan-Making System
The government requires the Council to enter the new plan making process by 30 June 2026 to respond to the National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF) and in accordance with the transitional provisions of the Town and Country Planning (Local Planning) (England) Regulations 2026.
The updated plan will be prepared in accordance with the new plan making process in that it must be produced within a 30 month formal period and will be in a predominantly digital format. The plan will set out a vision and spatial development strategy for the borough and focus on site allocations and local spatial policies. More general policies will be replaced by the national decision-making policies contained in the NPPF.
Notice of Intent to commence Local Plan Preparation
The council has given notice on 30 June 2026 of the intent to commence Local Plan preparation under the Town and Country Planning (Local Planning) (England) Regulations 2026 as set out below.
In accordance with The Town and Country Planning (Local Planning) (England) Regulations 2026, Part 4 Regulation 19, Hyndburn Borough Council (“the Council”), as Local Planning Authority, hereby gives notice of its intention to commence preparation of a new Local Plan.
The Local Plan will be known, throughout the plan-making process, as the Hyndburn Local Plan.
The Hyndburn Local Plan will cover the current administrative area of Hyndburn Borough ONS E07000120 as shown on the map below.
This map is based upon Ordnance Survey material with the permission of Ordnance Survey on behalf of the Controller of her Majesty’s Stationery Office (C) Crown copyright. Unauthorised reproduction infringes Crown copyright and may lead to prosecution or civil proceedings. Hyndburn Borough Council OS Licence No. AC0000849943 202
View a copy of the Notice of Intent
Local Plan Timetable
Council has published a timetable setting out that it expects to start the 30-month plan preparation process on 31 October 2026. The Timetable came into effect on 30 June 2026 and will be reviewed periodically.
Local Plan TImetable CSV version
The CSV file contains data mandated by the Government under the Open Government Licence.
A copy of the Notice of Intent and the Local Plan timetable can be viewed at:
- Council’s Office – Scaitcliffe House, Ormerod Street, Accrington
- Accrington Library (St James’ Street, Accrington, Lancashire, BB5 1NQ)
- Great Harwood Library (Queen Street, Great Harwood, Blackburn, Lancashire, BB6 7AL)
- Oswaldtwistle Library (Union Road, Oswaldtwistle, Accrington, BB5 3HS)
- Rishton Library (High Street, Rishton, Blackburn, Lancashire, BB1 4LA)
For further information please email: planningpolicy@hyndburnbc.gov.uk
Local Plan Schedule of Timetable Changes
None at the present time
Scoping Consultation
The first stage of the new plan-making process is a Scoping Consultation. At this stage the council is inviting comments on the proposed scope and contents of the new Local Plan and how we will approach future Local Plan engagement.
This consultation is an opportunity for all those with an interest in how Hyndburn Borough will develop and look in the future to have their say. The Scoping Consultation document is set out below.
The consultation will run from 14 August 2026 to 5.00pm 11 September 2026
To have your say please submit the form HYNDBURN LOCAL PLAN – SCOPING CONSULTATION – Fill in form
The Scoping Consultation Document is available to view at the following locations
- Council’s Office – Scaitcliffe House, Ormerod Street, Accrington
- Accrington Library (St James’ Street, Accrington, Lancashire, BB5 1NQ)
- Great Harwood Library (Queen Street, Great Harwood, Blackburn, Lancashire, BB6 7AL)
- Oswaldtwistle Library (Union Road, Oswaldtwistle, Accrington, BB5 3HS)
Rishton Library (High Street, Rishton, Blackburn, Lancashire, BB1 4LA)
In line with Government recommendations, the Council is encouraging online submissions to local plan consultations, this makes the process of analysing responses much quicker and is kinder to the environment. Please do not submit any additional documents in connection with this consultation or documents connected to sites – the Council is presently carrying out a call for sites exercise the details of which are set out below.
If you have any questions about the consultation please email the Planning Policy Team – planningpolicy@hyndburnbc.gov.uk
Call For Sites
National planning policy requires every Local Planning Authority to assess the amount of land that is available for development in its area. This process is known as the Housing and Economic Land Availability Assessment (HELAA), previously known as the Strategic Housing Land Availability Assessment, or SHLAA. The HELAA forms part of the evidence base for Local Plans and their reviews.
It is important to note that the HELAA does not represent council policy and will not determine whether a site should be allocated in the Local Plan. nor whether it will be granted planning permission.
In order to create a HELAA the Council is carrying out a Call for Sites exercise. This is a formal exercise run by local planning authorities to identify land potentially available for development. Local councils use these submissions to build an evidence base for housing, commercial development, and infrastructure to shape their long-term Local Plan.
Hyndburn Borough Council is preparing a new Local Plan which will guide future development and land use in the borough. The Council is keen to ensure that it has explored brownfield land (previously developed land) first before turning to land outside of this for future development. As part of this process the Council is seeking brownfield land which has the potential for development over the next 17 years for consideration and assessment as part of the preparation stages of the new Local Plan.
If you have any such land and wish the Council to consider it please complete the form below and send it to planningpolicy@hyndburnbc.gov.uk The form should be accompanied by a map with the site outlined in red. Please do not send in any other information at the present time.
CALL_FOR_SITES_BROWNFIELD_LAND
For details on other Planning Policy Matters click the link below