Stoke-on-Trent's planning blueprint for building thousands of new homes has been delayed until at least the end of 2026.

The city's local plan, which will guide all development in Stoke-on-Trent over a 15-year period, was originally due to be submitted to the government for approval in summer 2022.

But Stoke-on-Trent City Council's updated timetable shows that the plan is now not expected to be ready for submission until November 2026 – more than four years later than originally envisaged. Adoption of the local plan will take place at some point after November 2026, depending on how long the government's examination takes, and if there are further issues that the council will need to address.

Local plans include house-building targets for the plan period, and allocate sites where homes could be built – making it more difficult for developers to build elsewhere. Site allocations for other land uses, such as employment, retail and leisure, are also included in the plan.

The city council has been working on the site allocations for several years, after carrying out an 'issues and options' consultation in 2021. Members of the public will not have a chance to have their say on the proposed allocations until September or October 2025, when a consultation on the draft plan will take place.

The council's timetable shows the plan is not expected to be ready for submission until November 2026 (Nub News).

In December, Communities Secretary Michael Gove called on all councils to have up-to-date local plans in place, and warned of 'tough measures' where this did not happen.

Campaigners fighting to protect Berryhill Fields from development fear that the delay in finalising Stoke-on-Trent's local plan could leave the land vulnerable. The green fields between Bentilee, Eaton Park and Fenton had previously been earmarked for 1,300 homes, although councillors have since said that they would not be included in the local plan.

Dave Burgess, vice-chair of the Save Berryhill Fields Action Group, is becoming increasingly concerned at the length of time the local plan is taking. He said: "The draft local plan has been in production now for more than six years and now there is the possibility of a further two years delay. The local plan public consultation part two was 'good to go' back in November 2021, but it never happened – why?

"Why aren't the council officers working to achieve the revised government deadline of June 30, 2025 to submit their local plan to the secretary of state?

In the words of Michael Gove, 'councils' persistent failure to adopt a plan has left your communities vulnerable to speculative development'. It is hardly surprising therefore that citizens remain highly suspicious of the planners' motives."

Cabinet members at the city council will be asked to approve the new local plan timetable when they meet on Tuesday. According to the cabinet report, work has been continuing on the local plan since the 2021 consultation.

The report states: "Since that time, work has progressed in terms of ensuring an up-to-date evidence base including key studies to assist with determining housing and economic needs and supply and infrastructure requirements. Cabinet has been actively engaged in the local plan process and a draft

local plan is now being prepared. This will involve consultation on a full suite of development management policies and site allocations.

"Through various consultations the government has placed increased importance on councils ensuring they have an up-to-date local plan in place. This has led to uncertainty; however, the council has continued to progress its local plan.

"In the recently updated National Planning Policy Framework it is made clear that maintaining up-to-date plans should be seen as a priority in providing housing and other development in a sustainable manner. The Secretary of State for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities now expects councils to notify him of their up-to-date timetable for producing the local plan."

The city council has been approached for comment.

------------

READ MORE: Fenton drug dealer jailed after police find cannabis and cocaine

Free from clickbait, pop-up ads and unwanted surveys, Stoke Nub News is a quality online newspaper for our city.

Subscribe to our FREE weekly newsletter email HERE - just click the 'SIGN UP' button.

Please consider following Stoke Nub News on Facebook or Twitter.