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The Local Development Plan and what it's used for
The Woking Core Strategy, Site Allocations Plan and Proposals Map for the Local Development Plan.
The Local Development Plan:
- sets out where development will occur and what it should be like
- shows where new homes and workplaces will be built
- outlines how services and facilities such as schools and travel will be provided
- identifies the places and buildings we value and want to protect
What makes up the Local Development Plan
The Local Development Plan is made up of a number of different documents, including:
- the Core Strategy
- the Site Allocations Plan
- Development Management Policies
- the Proposals Map showing constraints, designations and allocated sites for particular land use
- adopted neighbourhood plans
- supplementary planning documents and guidance
All Local Development Plan documents are available at Woking 2027.
Planning applications
Decisions on planning applications are assessed against both the Local Development Plan and the National Planning Policy Framework – GOV.UK.
The Core Strategy
The Core Strategy of the Local Development Plan was adopted on 25 October 2012. It provides the overarching principles and policies for development across the borough.
Read the Core Strategy – Woking 2027
Core Strategy reviews
The Core Strategy has been reviewed twice, to assess whether it conforms with national planning policy:
- Core Strategy review 2018 – Woking 2027 – approved October 2018
- Core Strategy review 2023 – Woking 2027 – approved 12 October 2023
What the Core Strategy includes
The Core Strategy includes:
- a 'spatial vision' which sets out how the borough will develop to 2027
- 13 strategic objectives for the borough, which focus on the key issues and challenges facing the area
- a delivery strategy for achieving those objectives, which sets out how much development is expected to happen, where and by what means
- clear arrangements for monitoring and delivery
- policies to assess planning applications
Development Management Policies
The Development Management Policies document was adopted 20 October 2016.
It provides detailed policies in addition to those set out in the Core Strategy, which deal with various issues such as:
- design and access
- noise advertisements and shop fronts
- specific leisure developments
- residential extensions
- tree protection
Read the Development Management Policies – Woking 2027
Development Management Policies review
The Development Management Policies has been reviewed once:
Development Management Policies review 2021 – Woking 2027 – approved October 2021
Site Allocations Plan
The Site Allocations Plan was adopted on 14 October 2021. It sets out which sites are expected to be developed and includes a set of key requirements for each allocation.
Read the Site Allocations Plan – Woking 2027
The Site Allocations Plan:
- supports the delivery of the core strategy
- safeguards land to meet future development needs beyond the present core strategy period (to 2027)
- allocates land for housing, employment and infrastructure uses, as illustrated on the Proposals Map
- is used to assess planning applications
Proposals Map
You can also view our Proposals Map, showing areas of protection and areas of different land use.
View the Proposals Map – Woking 2027
Research and evidence base
The Local Development Plan is supported by numerous documents known as the research and evidence base. These documents consist of a range of assessments and studies to inform the policies of the plan.