Local Plan Representations and Site Promotion
Local Plans establish the planning policies and development strategy that determine where new homes, employment and other development can take place.
For landowners and developers, engaging with the plan-making process can create opportunities to secure a site allocation, influence emerging policies or challenge proposals that may affect the future development potential of land.
I provide planning policy advice and prepare representations at Local Plan consultation and examination stages, as well as advising on site promotion and the potential for land to be allocated for development.
Early engagement is important.
Once a Local Plan is adopted, opportunities to influence its policies and site allocations become considerably more limited.
Planning Policy and Local Plan Services
I provide advice and representation on a range of plan-making matters, including:
Local Plan representations – Preparing responses to emerging planning policies, development strategies and proposed site allocations.
Regulation 18 consultations – Representations on draft Local Plans and emerging planning strategies.
Regulation 19 representations – Formal representations on the proposed submission Local Plan, including matters of legal compliance and soundness.
Call for Sites submissions – Promoting land for potential residential, employment or other development allocations.
Site promotion – Assessing the planning merits of land and preparing a strategy to support its inclusion in a future Local Plan.
Planning policy objections – Challenging proposed policies, settlement boundaries, Green Belt designations or other planning constraints where justified.
Local Plan examinations – Preparing representations and advising on matters arising during the examination process.
Why Make Local Plan Representations?
Local Plan preparation provides an opportunity to influence how land is treated in the planning system before policies and allocations are formally adopted.
For landowners, this may mean promoting a site for housing or employment development, challenging an inappropriate designation or seeking changes to a policy that could restrict future development.
For developers and promoters, engagement can help establish a more favourable planning policy framework for future applications.
A well-evidenced representation can identify deficiencies in the emerging plan, demonstrate the suitability of a site or explain why a proposed policy should be amended.
Local Plan Consultation Stages
Call for Sites – Promoting Land for Development
Before or during the preparation of a Local Plan, councils may invite landowners, developers and promoters to put forward sites for potential development through a Call for Sites exercise.
This provides an opportunity to promote land for residential, employment or other uses and have its development potential considered as part of the plan-making process.
I can assist with:
Reviewing the suitability and development potential of your land.
Assessing planning constraints, including Green Belt, access and environmental considerations.
Advising on potential development capacity and appropriate uses.
Preparing and submitting Call for Sites representations.
Making the planning case for including your site within the emerging Local Plan.
Submission does not guarantee allocation. However, early promotion can help ensure that land is considered when the council assesses development options and prepares its future spatial strategy.
Regulation 18 – Draft Local Plan Consultation
Regulation 18 is an early stage of Local Plan preparation, when councils consult on emerging policies, development options and potential site allocations.
This is an important opportunity to influence the direction of the plan before its policies and allocations become more settled.
Representations can address the council's proposed strategy, identify alternative approaches or promote land for future development.
Regulation 19 – Proposed Submission Local Plan
At Regulation 19, the council publishes the version of the Local Plan it intends to submit for independent examination.
Representations at this stage focus on whether the plan is legally compliant and sound, including whether it is positively prepared, justified, effective and consistent with national planning policy.
For landowners and promoters, this may be the opportunity to challenge the omission of a site, object to a proposed allocation or seek changes to an emerging policy.
Local Plan Examination
Following submission, an independent Planning Inspector examines the Local Plan.
Depending on the issues raised, this may involve written representations, hearing sessions and further submissions.
I can advise on the examination process, prepare further representations and assist in presenting the planning case for a site or proposed policy change.
Frequently Asked Questions
When can I make Local Plan representations?
Councils publish consultation periods at different stages of plan preparation. These commonly include Regulation 18 and Regulation 19 consultations, although other engagement and consultation exercises may also take place.
I can monitor emerging plans and advise when representations should be submitted.
Can I get my land allocated for housing?
Potentially, but allocation depends on the council's development strategy, housing requirements, site suitability and the evidence supporting the plan.
I can assess the planning merits of your land and advise on the prospects of allocation and the most appropriate promotion strategy.
What is a Call for Sites?
A Call for Sites is an exercise undertaken by a local planning authority to identify land that may be suitable for future development.
Landowners, developers and promoters can submit sites for consideration, usually accompanied by information on location, availability, proposed use and potential development capacity.
Submission does not guarantee allocation, but it can be an important first step in promoting land through the Local Plan process.
What is the difference between Regulation 18 and Regulation 19?
Regulation 18 is an earlier consultation stage when the council is developing its plan and considering options.
Regulation 19 is the formal consultation on the proposed submission Local Plan, before it is submitted for independent examination.
The nature and purpose of representations differ between the two stages.
What happens after a Local Plan is submitted?
The plan is examined by an independent Planning Inspector, who considers its legal compliance and soundness.
The examination may include hearing sessions, written representations and proposed modifications before the Inspector issues a report.
Planning Policy and Site Promotion Advice
Whether you are a landowner considering promoting land for development, a developer seeking to influence emerging policy or a site promoter responding to a Local Plan consultation, I can provide clear planning advice and professional representation.
Contact me to discuss your site, emerging Local Plan or planning policy representation.
Andrew Ransome MRTPI - Email: andrew@andrewransome.co.uk
Planning Policy Information
Get in Touch
Email: andrew@andrewransome.co.uk
Tel: 020 7096 8045
London Office:
60 Tottenham Court Road
Fitzrovia
London
W1T 2EW
© 2026 Andrew Ransome Town Planning Ltd. All rights reserved.
Content on this website is provided for general information and educational purposes only and does not constitute formal planning, professional, or legal advice. Planning policies, legislation, and guidance are subject to change. Site-specific assessment by a qualified consultant is recommended before making development decisions.
Projects highlighted across this website represent professional work undertaken by Andrew Ransome throughout his career.