WILTSHIRE Council has pulled the plug on its long-awaited Local Plan bringing an end to a nine-year process that has cost more than £2 million.

At a meeting yesterday (May 19), councillors agreed to withdraw the draft Wiltshire Local Plan 2020–2038 from independent examination after being told it faced almost certain rejection.

The decision follows a stark warning from government-appointed Planning Inspectors, who wrote to the council in March offering just two choices: withdraw the plan or continue and receive a final report recommending it should not be adopted.

The Local Plan is one of the most important documents shaping Wiltshire’s future, setting out where homes, jobs and infrastructure should go across the county.

Its collapse leaves uncertainty over future development plans but council leaders insist a fresh start is now the only realistic option.

Councillors heard that challenging the inspectors’ conclusions had been considered but legal advice suggested the chances of success were very low.

Instead, the council will now begin work on a completely new Local Plan, based on the government’s revised planning system, which ministers say will be faster and simpler.

Cabinet is expected to discuss a timetable for the replacement plan in June.

Cabinet member for strategic planning Cllr Adrian Foster described the outcome as disappointing but unavoidable.

“This is clearly a disappointing position to be in, but it is vital that we are honest about where matters stand and take a firm decision on the best way forward,” he said.

“There have been suggestions that the council should seek to challenge the Inspectors’ conclusions. However, we have taken advice which has made it clear that the likelihood of a successful challenge would be very low.”

Cllr Foster also praised council staff who spent years preparing the document.

“Their commitment, professionalism and resilience throughout the process should not be underestimated,” he said.

Despite the setback, the council says the work already completed will help shape the next version of the plan as Wiltshire tries once again to map out where future growth should happen.