Cymraeg

Deposit Plan

Ends on 9th December 2026 (42 days remaining)

1 Introduction

1.1The Planning and Compulsory Purchase Act 2004 requires all Local Planning Authorities in Wales to produce a Local Development Plan (LDP) to manage land and development over the long term. The LDP should set out a positive vision for the area and identify where and how development should take place in the future.

1.2The development plan is the suite of documents setting out those policies against which applications for planning permission are determined. In Caerphilly County Borough, this consists of Future Wales: The National Plan 2040 (Future Wales), which contains national-level planning policies, as well as the LDP.

1.3Once adopted, the Strategic Development Plan (SDP) for South East Wales will also have development plan status for those local authority areas which are subject to its remit. Preparation of the SDP is to the responsibility of the South East Wales Corporate Joint Committee (CJC), once complete it will set out a refined strategy at a regional level which will be underpinned by LDPs at the local level.

General Conformity

1.4The Planning (Wales) Act (2015) outlines a plan led approach to development in Wales through three tiers mentioned above. The Development Plans Manual for Wales (DPM) outlines that LDPs must be in general conformity with Future Wales and, when in place, the South East Wales SDP. Therefore, the 2nd Replacement Local Development Plan 2020-2035 (2RLDP) has been prepared in accordance with the relevant planning legislation, national planning policy, and the emerging regional position. The 2RLDP aims to deliver sustainable development within the County Borough through strategic placemaking, improving the overall well-being of current and future generations.

Background

1.5Caerphilly County Borough Council (CCBC) adopted its first LDP (Adopted LDP) in 2010, which covered the period 2006 – 2021. While this period has now expired, the Adopted plan will remain in place until a replacement LDP is adopted. The Council is preparing the 2RLDP, which will supersede the Adopted LDP and become the Council’s statutory land use plan when adopted.

1.6The Council published its 2RLDP Pre-Deposit Plan (Revised Preferred Strategy) in January 2025. Following a six-week public consultation, Council resolved to continue preparation of the plan in July of that year. The 2RLDP Deposit Plan will be published in October 2026 for a six-week public consultation period where key stakeholders and the general public will be able to make representations in respect of the 2RLDP Deposit Plan’s policies and proposals.

The 2nd Replacement Local Development Plan Process

2RLDP Stages flowchart with six stages: Establish Evidence Base, Call for Candidate Sites, Deposit Plan, Examination, Adoption, and current stage highlighted as Deposit Plan. Icons depict each stage's function.

Deposit Plan

1.7The Deposit Plan is an important milestone in the 2RLDP preparation process, and sets out those detailed policies, site allocations and designations that the Council considers are necessary for the realisation of the plan’s vision, objectives and strategic approach.

1.8The Deposit Plan should be focussed, succinct and relevant to the key issues it seeks to address. It consists of the Written Statement and Proposals and Constraints Maps, and an Appendix which sets out further information in relation to site allocations and designations.

1.9The Written Statement contains the plan’s vision and objectives, the overarching strategy, detailed policy framework and site allocations and designations (including areas for safeguarding). The full structure is set out as follows:

  • Introduction: Outlines the background and steps taken to get to the Deposit stage of the plan.
  • Policy Context: Provides a comprehensive insight into the relevant planning legislation and national, regional and local planning policies which the 2RLDP has considered during its preparation.
  • The Caerphilly County Borough Context: Identifies the unique setting of the County Borough, providing a commentary on the key issues and challenges that the 2RLDP is seeking to address, as well as potential opportunities.
  • Vision and Objectives: Sets out the intended vision for the County Borough to be realised by the end of the plan period, including the relevant objectives needed to achieve this.
  • The Development Strategy: This contains the Strategy for the County Borough.
  • Policy Framework: This establishes the parameters against which development proposals will be considered.

1.10The Proposals and Constraints Maps indicate the location of development allocations and policy designations set out by the plan, and wider constraints contained in legislation that sit outside of the 2RLDP and are set by other statutory mechanisms. Developers should consult the map before submitting proposals for development.

1.11The Appendix includes:

  • Further information in relation to site allocations and designations
  • The Housing Trajectory setting out the expected rate of housing delivery throughout the Plan period.
  • An Infrastructure Delivery Plan which sets out what is needed to support the development of the allocated sites.
  • The Monitoring Framework identifies key policy indicators and targets which will be used to assess the effectiveness of the 2RLDP. This will provide a basis for the 2RLDP annual monitoring reports (AMR).
  • A list of all Evidence Base documents
  • Glossary of Terms.

Statutory Assessments

Integrated Sustainability Appraisal (ISA)

1.12All formal stages of the 2RLDP, including the Deposit Plan, are subject to an Integrated Sustainability Appraisal (ISA). The ISA is an integrated assessment process that incorporates the requirements of Sustainability Appraisal (SA), Strategic Environmental Assessment (SEA), Equalities Impact Assessment (EqIA), Health Impact Assessment (HIA), Welsh Language Impact Assessment (WLIA), and the Well-being of Future Generations (Wales) Act. The purpose of the ISA is to inform and influence the plan-making process by evaluating the extent to which the 2RLDP’s policies and proposals contribute to broader economic, social, environmental, and cultural objectives.

Habitats Regulation Assessment (HRA)

1.13The Council is required to undertake a Habitats Regulation Assessment (HRA) of the 2RLDP to determine the effects of the 2RLDP on European Sites of nature conservation and importance. These are defined as RAMSAR sites (wetlands of international importance), Special Protection Areas (SPAs) and Special Areas of Conservation (SACs). If applicable the HRA should detail whether an Appropriate Assessment (AA) is needed and how it will be undertaken. Both the ISA and HRA have been prepared to support the 2RLDP and can be accessed on the Consultation Portal under supporting documents.

Evidence Base

1.14The 2RLDP Deposit Plan is underpinned by a robust evidence base of detailed studies and assessments which have informed the strategy and detailed planning policies contained within the plan. These documents are listed in Appendix 14 and are available on the Consultation Portal under supporting documents.

Stakeholder Engagement

1.15The 2RLDP has carried the principles of the Well-being of Future Generations Act 2015 through from the outset and has been prepared within the context of the Five Ways of Working. The Council has worked with other statutory bodies and key stakeholders collaboratively throughout the process to effectively explore and consider complex issues and challenges impacting the County Borough. At each formal stage of the plan process a formal consultation has been held before decisions have been taken to move forward.

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