Adopted and emerging policy
How Two Local Plan Processes Affect Land Valuation in Cannock
The adoption of the Cannock Chase Local Plan 2018–2040 in March 2026 provides a recent policy framework, confirmed allocations and revised Green Belt boundaries. Land allocated for housing, employment or mixed use has a materially different planning position from unallocated land, although an allocation still requires a deliverable scheme, technical evidence, infrastructure and an acceptable planning permission.
The council has nevertheless commenced a replacement Local Plan for 2026–2046. The first scoping consultation is concerned with the content, vision and strategic issues the plan should address. It is not a draft allocation document and should not be presented to a landowner as if the council is already selecting sites. The more detailed vision, options, site assessment and draft-plan stages are programmed to follow.
For unallocated land, the new plan may create a longer-term opportunity where the site can contribute to future housing or employment needs, form a sustainable settlement extension, help unlock infrastructure or provide a credible alternative to more constrained options. The evidence will need to address suitability, availability, achievability, settlement relationship, access, capacity and environmental effects.
For land already allocated or included in the SHLAA or ELAA, current availability and deliverability remain important. The council’s summer 2026 Call for Sites specifically requested updates on existing sites, including allocations, so that the next evidence base does not assume that a site remains available without confirmation.
A newly adopted plan does not end land promotion
It changes the starting point. Some sites should now focus on implementing an allocation or securing permission; others may need to enter the 2026–2046 evidence process; and some will be better pursued as brownfield, infill or windfall proposals. The route should be chosen from the site evidence rather than from a generic assumption that every parcel should be submitted to the new plan.