Stroud District Council launches early consultation on new Local Plan

Residents, businesses and community organisations are being encouraged to help shape the future of Stroud district as the council begins work on a new Local Plan.

The new Local Plan will set out how and where growth should take place across the district over the next 15 to 20 years, balancing the need for new homes, jobs and infrastructure with the protection of the district’s valued environment and communities.

An early-stage public consultation will run from Monday 29 June to Sunday 9 August 2026 (11pm), giving people the opportunity to share their views on the key issues, priorities and potential growth options that should inform the new plan.

At this stage, the council is seeking feedback on the challenges and opportunities facing the district and how these should be addressed through the Local Plan. No decisions have been made and this is not a consultation on specific development sites.

As part of the process, the council is required by government policy to plan for at least 846 new homes each year, alongside the provision of employment opportunities, supporting infrastructure and environmental enhancements.

SDC Leader Chloe Turner said: “The new Local Plan will play a vital role in shaping the future of Stroud district for the next generation. The government has set our new housing target, and our role as the Local Planning Authority is to seek to match that development to the places that work best for our communities.

“We will always prioritise brownfield sites and have to work within the natural constraints of our district, including the flood plain and the Cotswold National Landscape. We also want to agree some core principles, as far as we can within the national framework, for what really good development looks like in our area.

“This early consultation is about identifying those core principles, and the priorities, challenges and opportunities for the district. We want to hear from as many people as possible at this first stage so that local views help inform the plan from the outset.

“Work has just started on the new Local Plan and no decisions have been made about where future development may take place, and there will be further opportunities for residents and stakeholders to have their say as the plan progresses.”

Following this consultation, the council will continue gathering evidence and developing options before undertaking further public consultation next year.

The full Local Plan timetable, consultation documents and details of how to respond are available on the council’s website.

Residents, businesses, community groups and other stakeholders are encouraged to take part and share details of the consultation with their networks to ensure as many voices as possible help shape the future of Stroud district.

Consultation opens: Monday 29 June 2026 Consultation closes: Sunday 9 August 2026 at 11pm

Find out more and take part:

New Local Plan 2026 / www.stroud.gov.uk/environment/planning-and-building-control/planning-strategy/new-local-plan-2026/