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*Latest news* The Council has published its Gateway 1 Assessment Report: Gateway 1 is the formal start of the local plan preparation process. |
Sefton Council have commenced preparation of a new Local Plan that will replace the current Local Plan (April 2017). It is anticipated that it will cover the period 2029-2044.
Stage 1 – Local Plan Scoping Report and consultation
The first stage of consultation on the new Local Plan, focused on the Local Plan Scoping Report, took place between 20 July and 18 September 2026.
The consultation invited comments on the issues and topics the Local Plan should address, the proposed vision for Sefton, and how people and organisations would like to be involved throughout the Local Plan process. A Call for Sites was also undertaken during this period.
The consultation has now closed. We would like to thank everyone who took the time to submit comments and site suggestions.
Council officers are currently reviewing all representations received. The comments will help inform the preparation of the draft Local Plan and the supporting evidence base. A summary of the consultation responses will be published in due course.
The Scoping consultation documents remain available to view below:
| Local Plan Scoping Report (July 2026) |  (pdf 16.53MB) |
| Local Plan Scoping Report - EASY READ VERSION | (pdf 3.52MB) |
| Local Plan leaflet | (pdf 909KB) |
| Local Plan leaflet – EASY READ VERSION | (pdf 2.92MB) |
To support the Local Plan Scoping Report, we also created the following video. This video includes a British Sign Language translator.
Gateway 1 Self-Assessment of readiness for local plan preparation
Gateway 1 is the formal start of the preparation process for the new local plan, as set out in national regulations. Gateway 1 requires each local authority to carry out and publish a self-assessment of their readiness to start the 30-month plan preparation process.
Sefton Council’s Gateway 1 Self-Assessment is set out below:
Copies of this document are also available at Sefton's libraries and at the Council offices at Magdalen House, Trinity Road, Bootle, L20 3NJ.
What happens next?
The Council will analyse the comments and site submissions received during the Scoping consultation and use this information, alongside ongoing evidence gathering, to prepare the next stage of the Local Plan. Further opportunities to comment on the emerging Local Plan will be provided as work progresses, as set out in the Local Plan Timetable. Details of future consultations will be published on this webpage and through the Council's consultation channels.
Local Plan Timetable
The current timetable and formal Notice of Commencement for the new Local Plan are set out below.
| Local Plan Timetable | (pdf 108KB) |
| Notice of Intention to Commence Local Plan Preparation | (pdf 862KB) |
If you wish to be included on a list of people/organisations that will be notified of when we consult on the new Local Plan, please email your details to local.plan@sefton.gov.uk.