The Planning Data (England) Regulations 2026

Published: Thu 16th Apr 26

Mandated that local planning authorities use standardized digital formats for publishing plan timetables and housing requirement data starting May 2026.

These Regulations establish mandatory digital data standards for local planning authorities in England regarding the publication of local plans, minerals and waste plans, and housing requirements.

The instrument designates specific documents, such as plan timetables and the minimum number of expected homes, as "planning data" under the Levelling-up and Regeneration Act 2023.

These authorities must ensure that such data complies with technical standards published by the Secretary of State whenever they publish or update their plans at specified stages of the planning process.

Arguments For

The regulations implement technical provisions of the Levelling-up and Regeneration Act 2023 by defining specific categories of information as "planning data."
The explanatory note states that the measures require planning authorities to comply with approved data standards when processing and publishing planning information.
Proponents within the government indicate that these standards assist in the digital transformation of the planning system by ensuring information is consistent and accessible.
The document notes that digital data standards are published periodically by the Secretary of State to maintain technical relevance.

Arguments Against

Legal scholars may note that the specific technical requirements are not contained within the instrument itself but are found in external documents published "from time to time," potentially affecting transparency.
Local authorities may face administrative burdens in ensuring their digital systems comply with shifting data standards at multiple points in the plan-making process.
The lack of a new Regulatory Impact Assessment for this specific instrument might be questioned by stakeholders concerned with the cost of technical implementation at the local level.

Citation, commencement, extent and application

-(1) These Regulations may be cited as the Planning Data (England) Regulations 2026 and come into force on 7th May 2026.

(2) These Regulations extend to England and Wales, but apply in England only.

This section establishes the official name of the regulations and sets the commencement date for 7 May 2026.

It limits the practical application of the rules to England, though the legal jurisdiction extends to England and Wales.

Interpretation

In these Regulations-

'2023 Act' means the Levelling-up and Regeneration Act 2023.

This section provides a definition for the term '2023 Act'.

It ensures that all references to the primary legislation throughout the document refer specifically to the Levelling-up and Regeneration Act 2023.

Planning data

Schedules 1 to 3 have effect.

This section gives legal force to the three schedules attached to the regulations.

Each schedule contains specific requirements for different types of planning information.

Schedule 1

Local plan timetable

Interpretation

In this Schedule 'local planning authority ' must be construed in accordance with section 15LF of the PCPA 2004;

'local plan timetable' must be construed in accordance with section 15B of the PCPA 2004.

Planning data

A local plan timetable is planning data for the purposes of section 84 of the 2023 Act.

Duty to comply with any approved data standard

A local planning authority must comply with any approved data standards which are applicable when publishing a local plan timetable in accordance with section 15B(8) of the PCPA 2004.

Schedule 1 classifies local plan timetables as 'planning data' under the 2023 Act.

It requires local planning authorities to follow the Secretary of State's approved digital standards whenever they publish their schedules for creating or amending local plans.

Schedule 2

Minerals and waste plan timetable

Interpretation

In this Schedule-

'minerals and waste plan timetable' must be construed in accordance with section 15BB of the PCPA 2004;

'minerals and waste planning authority' must be construed in accordance with section 15LG of the PCPA 2004.

Planning data

A minerals and waste plan timetable is planning data for the purposes of section 84 of the 2023 Act.

Duty to comply with any approved data standard

A minerals and waste planning authority must comply with any approved data standards which are applicable when publishing a minerals and waste plan timetable in accordance with section 15B(8) of the PCPA 2004.

Schedule 2 applies the same data standard requirements to authorities responsible for minerals and waste planning.

These authorities must ensure their published timetables meet the technical digital specifications set by the government.

Schedule 3

Housing requirement data

Interpretation

In this Schedule-

'housing requirement data' means the minimum number of homes that a local plan expects to be provided during the period of the plan;

'local plan' must be construed in accordance with section 15C of the PCPA 2004;

'local planning authority' must be construed in accordance with section 15LF of the PCPA 2004;

'the local planning regulations' means The Town and Country Planning (Local Planning) (England) Regulations 2026;

Planning data

Housing requirement data is planning data for the purposes of sections 84 and 86 of the 2023 Act.

Duty to publish housing requirement data

-(1) A local planning authority must publish housing requirement data on its website at specified points during the preparation of a local plan.

(2) The specified points are-

(a) the day it publishes a consultation under regulation 27(1) of the local planning regulations;
(b) the day it provides its documents and information to the Secretary of State under section 15D(1) of the PCPA 2004;
(c) the day it complies with section 15D(13) of the PCPA 2004;
(d) the day it complies with regulation 39(1)(a)(i) of the local planning regulations.

Duty to comply with any approved data standard

A local planning authority must comply with any approved data standards which are applicable when publishing housing requirement data.

Schedule 3 defines 'housing requirement data' as the minimum target for new homes in a local plan.

It mandates the publication of this data in a standardized digital format at four specific milestones: during public consultation, when submitting plans to the Secretary of State, during plan modification, and upon final plan adoption.

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