The Isle of Wight Council is on track to submit the Island Planning Strategy (IPS) to government at the end of the month.
This would be a significant step in the plan-making process and would pass the IPS over to the Planning Inspectorate, the government body which will decide how to move forward.
Following the closure of the 'Regulation 19' consultation period on the IPS at the end of August, the council has been processing and reviewing hundreds of comments received ahead of submitting them all, together with the plan and entire evidence base, to the Secretary of State.
Once submitted, all of the information will be made available to view online.
Councillor Paul Fuller, Cabinet member for planning, coastal protection and flooding, said:
"I’d like to thank everyone who made comments on the IPS in July and August.
"We are aware of what the new government think about housing numbers, however submitting the IPS before they publish a new National Planning Policy Framework is an important step for the council.
"There is no certainty on what the government will say when we do submit our plan, but as a council we will have done all we can to try to move the plan forward, which was what was agreed at Full Council in May 2024."
Once the IPS is submitted, an independent Planning Inspector will be appointed to carry out an examination in public.
The timing of the examination will be decided by the Planning Inspector.
At the end of the month, the council will be writing to all those who made representations on the draft plan, including the 40-plus people who said they would like to appear at the examination hearings if the Inspector considered it necessary, to provide an update and outline the likely next steps.
The IPS is crucial as it sets out the overall approach towards future development on the Island.
It outlines council policies on key issues like future housing need, affordable homes, associated infrastructure and how sustainable developments will help the Island drive towards its net zero carbon ambitions.
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