After the pre-deposit consultation period, the planning authority works to prepare a final 'Deposit Plan'. This is a full draft version of the Local Development Plan, which is based on the evidence and information gathered and the community’s response to the pre-deposit Local Development Plan.
The deposit plan contains:
- a 'preferred strategy'
- proposals for key areas of change, regeneration or protection
- specific sites to be used for particular purposes
- other specific policies and proposals.
The deposit plan is accompanied by a consultation report, which describes all the comments received during the pre-deposit consultation period and how they have influenced the authority's preparation of the deposit plan.
Once the Local Development Plan is placed on 'deposit' with the Welsh Assembly Government, the planning authority cannot change it. Any changes to the plan from this point onwards can only be made by the independent Inspector who will examine the plan.
Opportunities to get involved
Once the plan is placed on deposit, there is a further public consultation for a minimum period of six weeks. During this time, members of the public can make comments about any aspect of the deposit plan. Comments may either be in support of the plan or objecting to it. If you object to the deposit plan, you need to explain why the plan should be changed, and if possible you should provide reasons for your objections and supporting evidence.
You can suggest alternative sites for future development, or that settlement development boundaries are changed. However, any changes you propose will need to fit in with the preferred strategy, and you will also need to show that any new development sites are in line with the Sustainability Appraisal. This is why it is important to come forward with proposals at the earlier pre-deposit stage of plan preparation, when these tests are carried out by the planning authority.
Copies of the Deposit Plan will be available at your local authority’s planning offices and on its website.
