Draft New Local Plan Regulation 19

Hastings Local Plan Pre-Submission Version 2023–2041: Regulation 19 consultation

Hastings Borough Council is now consulting on the Pre-Submission version of its new Local Plan. The Local Plan will help to steer development in the borough to 2041. 
 
The council has previously undertaken two rounds of public consultation, the first in 2021 on an initial draft of the Plan, and the second one earlier in 2026 on the Preferred Options version. 
 
During that time thousands of comments have been received. These have all helped to shape the Plan. Thank you to everyone who has given their feedback so far. The council is now publishing the Pre-Submission Plan which is the final draft for a period of six-weeks for formal Representations to be made. 
 
The period for making formal Representations will run between Thursday 1 October 2026 and 11:59pm on Thursday 12 November 2026. The easiest way to make your Representations is online using our consultation portal (see below), as this is the most efficient way of ensuring your representation is received and processed. Other ways to make Representations are set out below.

Representations received after the deadline will not be duly made and may not be taken into account by the Inspector. 

What is Regulation 19?

Unlike earlier rounds of consultation (Regulation 18 stages), which were aimed at helping to shape the Plan, this time we are seeking formal representations on the legal compliance and/or soundness of the Plan.

The four tests of soundness are set out in the National Planning Policy Framework (December 2024). Plans are sound if they are:

• Positively prepared – providing a strategy which, as a minimum, seeks to meet the area’s objectively assessed needs; and is informed by agreements with other authorities, so that unmet need from neighbouring areas is accommodated where it is practical to do so and is consistent with achieving sustainable development;
• Justified – an appropriate strategy, taking into account the reasonable alternatives, and based on proportionate evidence;
• Effective – deliverable over the plan period, and based on effective joint working on cross-boundary strategic matters that have been dealt with rather than deferred, as evidenced by the statement of common ground; and
• Consistent with national policy – enabling the delivery of sustainable development in accordance with the policies in this Framework and other statements of national planning policy, where relevant.

Any representations you make during this consultation period should relate to the Plan’s legal compliance and/or tests of soundness above. 

How and where to view the Hastings Local Plan Pre-Submission version 2023-2041 (Regulation 19)

The best way to view the Pre-submission draft Plan is through our online consultation portal. You can also view the Plan below, along with the Policies Map and other key documents:

• Hastings Local Plan Pre-Submission version
• Submission Policies Map (please see below alternative versions)
• Sustainability Appraisal/Strategic Environmental Assessment
• Sustainability Appraisal/Strategic Environmental Assessment Technical Annex
• Habitats Regulations Assessment
• Consultation statement
• Statement of Representations Procedure
• Representation Form and Accompanying Guidance. 

You can also view the Plan and the supporting documents listed above at the following locations during the times shown: 

• Hastings Library, Brassey Institute, 13 Claremont, Hastings, TN34 1HE
• Hollington Library, 96 Battle Road, St Leonards, TN37 7AG
• Ore Community Library, 467 Old London Road, Hastings, TN35 5BP
• Community Contact Centre, Muriel Matters House, Breeds Place, Hastings, TN34 3UY 
   

All times correct as of 18 September 2026.

How to make comments:

If you wish to make representations on the Plan, they should relate to whether the Plan is legally compliant and/or is sound (based on one of the four tests outlined above). You should clearly state why and what steps you believe should be taken to make the Plan legally compliant/sound. Equally, if you support the legal compliance/soundness of the Plan, please clearly state this in your formal representation.

Comments should relate to the four legal tests above (detailed in 'What is Regulation 19?') or the government inspector may chose not to consider the comments in this process.
 
You should read the Statement of Representations Procedure carefully, which outlines how you can make comments and where you can find more information.

The Planning Inspectorate has also published guidance on legal compliance and soundness, and on how you should make your formal representation based on these matters. Where multiple people share a common view, it is advised that a single representation is made. 
 
You should also indicate whether you wish to take part in the hearing sessions. Only those seeking a change to the Plan have a right to appear before and be heard by the Inspector, and you must have requested to do this. Written representations are given the same weight as oral representations made during the hearing sessions. See section 5 of the guidance for more information. 
 
Formal representations may be made in writing or by way of electronic communications, however we strongly recommend you use the online consultation portal. Below is a list of all the different ways you can make representations. 
 
Online Consultation Portal: This is the best way to ensure your representations are captured correctly. 
 
Representation Form: You can download this form and send it to us using the following methods: 

Email: fplanning@hastings.gov.uk

By post: Planning Policy, Hastings Borough Council, Muriel Matters House, Breeds Place, Hastings, East Sussex, TN34 3UY (postal representations must be received by the council on or before on Thursday 12 November 2026. Please allow sufficient time for delivery). 
 
By hand: You should download the Representation Form above, print it and hand in your completed form to the Contact Centre at the address above. You will be given an acknowledgement card recording the date and time at which your representation was received. Please retain this as evidence of receipt. 

If you cannot access the online portal or download the form, paper copies may be requested from the Planning Policy Team or collected from the locations listed above during their opening hours. 
 
Please note: Completed forms can only be handed in at Muriel Matters House (no other location) and only during the opening times shown above. On Thursday 12 November 2026, hand-delivered representations must be received before Muriel Matters House closes at 5pm. The 11:59pm deadline applies only to electronic submissions. 
 
The use of Artificial Intelligence (AI): The council recognises that some people may wish to use AI when creating any Formal Representations they want to make on the Plan. The Planning Inspectorate has issued guidance on the use of AI as part of any examination being dealt with by them (of which your formal representations will form a part).  
 
Please read this guidance carefully, noting how you may use AI and whether/how you should declare your use of AI. Please note that declarations will be provided to the Planning Inspectorate alongside responses.

Supporting Information

The Local Plan is supported by a large number of background studies and reports. All of these can be viewed on our Local Plan Evidence Base page. The complete evidence base and other supporting documents will also be available for public inspection in electronic format at the Community Contact Centre, Muriel Matters House, during the opening hours shown above.

You can view out interactive and PDF map formats below:

• Map showing the Spatial Policies (interactive version)
• Map showing the Spatial Policies (.PDF version)

Help accessing the consultation documents

We want everyone to be able to access the consultation and provide their views.

The consultation documents are available online, and printed copies can be provided on request through the Community Contact Centre.

We are continuing to enhance the accessibility of some elements within the online documents, including complex maps, tables and images.

If you need information in an alternative format, or would like assistance accessing the documents or responding to the consultation, please contact us:

Email: fplanning@hastings.gov.uk
Telephone: 01424 451102

Updated versions of the online documents will be published when available.

Data Protection and Publication of Representations

Any representation you make will be ‘made available’ in line with the Regulations (The Town and Country Planning (Local Planning) (England) Regulations 2012 – Regulations 20, 22 and 35). This includes publication of your name and representation on the council’s website. The council will not publish your address, email, phone number or signature. Your representation, together with the personal and contact details you provide, will be submitted to the Secretary of State and made available to the Planning Inspectorate, the appointed Inspector and the Programme Officer where necessary for the examination and its administration. You can read more about how we use your data.

You should avoid including any personal or sensitive information in the body of your formal representation if you do not want this to be published.