--- title: "South Worcestershire Development Plan Review 2026: Important Update" description: "SWDPR 2026 adoption update: key planning policy changes, housing land supply impacts, and what it means for development in South Worcestershire." image: https://blog.rcaregeneration.co.uk/hubfs/AdobeStock_460778870.jpeg --- [![RCA Regeneration](https://blog.rcaregeneration.co.uk/hs-fs/hubfs/RCA_Logo_RGB.png?width=588&height=436&name=RCA_Logo_RGB.png "RCA Regeneration")](https://rcaregeneration.co.uk/) - [About](https://rcaregeneration.co.uk/about-us) - [Meet the Team](https://rcaregeneration.co.uk/about-us/meet-the-team) - [RCA News](https://blog.rcaregeneration.co.uk) - [Contact RCA](https://rcaregeneration.co.uk/contact) - [Services](https://rcaregeneration.co.uk/services) - [Planning](https://rcaregeneration.co.uk/services/planning) - [Development](https://rcaregeneration.co.uk/services/development) - [Architecture](https://rcaregeneration.co.uk/services/architecture) - [Projects](https://rcaregeneration.co.uk/projects) - [Sectors](https://rcaregeneration.co.uk/sectors) - [Contact](https://rcaregeneration.co.uk/contact) # South Worcestershire Development Plan Review 2026: Important Update **Article written by:** [Joe Bennett](https://blog.rcaregeneration.co.uk/author/joe-bennett) **Share this:** [Share this blog post on Twitter](https://twitter.com/intent/tweet?text=I+found+this+interesting+blog+post&url=https://blog.rcaregeneration.co.uk/south-worcestershire-development-plan-review-2026-important-update) [Share this blog post on Facebook](http://www.facebook.com/share.php?u=https://blog.rcaregeneration.co.uk/south-worcestershire-development-plan-review-2026-important-update) [Share this blog post on LinkedIn](http://www.linkedin.com/shareArticle?mini=true&url=https://blog.rcaregeneration.co.uk/south-worcestershire-development-plan-review-2026-important-update) - [planning](https://blog.rcaregeneration.co.uk/tag/planning) - [housing](https://blog.rcaregeneration.co.uk/tag/housing) - [sustainability](https://blog.rcaregeneration.co.uk/tag/sustainability) - [NPPF](https://blog.rcaregeneration.co.uk/tag/nppf) - [Planning Update 2026](https://blog.rcaregeneration.co.uk/tag/planning-update-2026) ![](https://blog.rcaregeneration.co.uk/hubfs/AdobeStock_460778870.jpeg) Thirty months after the South Worcestershire Development Plan Review (SWDPR) was submitted for Examination, the three South Worcestershire Councils – Malvern, Wychavon and Worcester – are expected to adopt the Plan at Special Council meetings set for 24th and 25th March. This has important implications for planning applications in the area. The long-awaited adoption anticipated for next week follows receipt of the Inspector's Report, which finds the SWDPR legally sound and compliant subject to the agreed Modifications. You can find the Inspector’s report here: [SWDP Review - Wychavon District Council](https://www.wychavon.gov.uk/planning/planning-policy/swdpr-review)   ## Housing land Supply The SWDPR was examined under an older version of the Framework, which meant it’s housing requirement was subject to a buffer of 10%. On this basis, the SWDPR would not deliver a 5 Year Housing Land Supply (5YHLS), but a 5% buffer will apply upon adoption, which is likely to mean the Councils will be able to demonstrate a 5YHLS in the short term. However, the current NPPF requires a 20% buffer – effectively extending the five‑year housing land requirement to six years – which will present a major challenge when it comes into effect on 1 July 2026. You can read our blog about the current version of the Framework here: [NPPF December 2024 to drive development nationally](https://blog.rcaregeneration.co.uk/nppf-december-2024)   ## Key Policy Implications The SWDPR will bring about some new and important policy requirements, which will inform design briefs and S106 negotiations. We have listed some of the main changes below, which will be worth bearing in mind, particularly for new housing applications going forwards: - **SWDPR 01: Climate Change Mitigation and Adaptation.** A new policy on climate change, which largely summarises other requirements; accordance will need to be demonstrated through a DAS (or similar) - **SWDPR 05: Design and Sustainable Construction.** The new policy places increased emphasis on sustainability, with a requirement to achieve a Home Quality Mark assessment (or an equivalent). - **SWDPR 07: Green Infrastructure.** This policy remains broadly similar to the existing equivalent, with a 40% Green Infrastructure requirement on sites \> 1ha. 20% for sites between 0.2 – 1ha, with smaller sites and brownfield sites having no set figure. - **SWDPR 17: Housing Mix and Standards.** Whilst housing mix is still set by the latest Strategic Housing Market Assessment (SHMA), this policy brings about some of the more significant detailed changes for emerging layouts. This includes: - All new dwellings to meet NDSS - All new dwellings to meet Part M4(2) standards - Developments \> 20 dwellings, 5% of dwellings to meet Part M4(3) - Developments \> 20 dwellings, 5% self/custom build (except 100% affordable & 100% apartment schemes) - **SWDPR 19: Meeting Affordable Housing Needs.** The SWDPR remains an ambitious Local Plan insofar as affordable housing delivery is concerned, with some of the requirements as follows: - Greenfield developments \> 10 dwellings, 40% affordable (different thresholds apply in Designated Rural Areas and for smaller/brownfield sites) - Tenure split: 70% Social Rent & 30% affordable home ownership - New policy explicitly supports 100% affordable schemes, with caveats. - Note that Golden Rules provisions apply per the NPPF 2024 for Green Belt sites. - **SWDPR 20: Rural Exception Sites.** Whilst the SWDP (2016) had a similar policy, this version introduces a cap of 1ha or 5% of the size of the existing settlement, which will severely limit delivery in smaller villages. - **SWDPR 28: Design.** This new design policy should be carefully considered, linked to SWDPR 05, demonstrating accordance with Homes Quality Mark, Building for a Healthy Life, or BREEAM assessment, or equivalent, will now be expected. - **SWDPR 30: Biodiversity Net Gain.** New policy reflecting the national 10% BNG requirement. - **SWDPR 37: Renewable and Low Carbon Energy.** The SWDP required 10% of predicted energy requirements to be met through renewable and low-carbon sources, this has been increased to 20%. - **SWDPR 38: Management of Flood Risk.** This policy on flood risk brings about new requirements, especially in terms of cumulative impact for larger developments. - **SWDPR 49: Provision of Open Space and Outdoor Community Uses in New Development.** New standards for the provision of open space are to be established, with one typology across the three Council areas. It is likely that new validation checklists will follow to align with the updated plan, as well as new Supplementary Planning Documents (SDPs). Developers should also keep an eye out for changes to Community Infrastructure Levy (CIL) in South Worcestershire. A consultation on the updated Charging Schedule ended earlier this week and a finalised version is expected to be published around the same time as the SWDPR. You can find more information here: [Community Infrastructure Levy - Wychavon District Council](https://www.wychavon.gov.uk/planning/other-planning-services/community-infrastructure-levy) The Councils will now be expected to start the production of a new plan under the new System. This will need to provide considerably more sites to meet the increased requirement, providing new opportunities for site promotion. In the meantime, if we can assist you with any applications or appeals, [please get in touch](https://rcaregeneration.co.uk/contact). ### Leave a Comment [![How-to-access-Govt-grants-to-develop-brownfield-sites](https://blog.rcaregeneration.co.uk/hubfs/How-to-access-Govt-grants-to-develop-brownfield-sites.jpg)](https://blog.rcaregeneration.co.uk/how-to-access-govt-grants-to-develop-brownfield-sites) [Rob Csondor](https://blog.rcaregeneration.co.uk/author/rob-csondor) ### [How to Access Govt. Grants to Develop Brownfield Sites](https://blog.rcaregeneration.co.uk/how-to-access-govt-grants-to-develop-brownfield-sites) Let’s start by looking at what grants are out there and who provides them. The first thing to understand is, that there is no single, UK brownfield grant that developers... 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[Read More](https://blog.rcaregeneration.co.uk/musings-on-the-house-price-to-earnings-dataset-2022) ## Related Articles ### RCA - [About RCA](https://rcaregeneration.co.uk/about-us) - [Services](https://rcaregeneration.co.uk/services) - [Sectors](https://rcaregeneration.co.uk/sectors) - [Projects](https://rcaregeneration.co.uk/projects) ### Services - [Planning](https://rcaregeneration.co.uk/services/planning) - [Development](https://rcaregeneration.co.uk/services/development) - [Architecture](https://rcaregeneration.co.uk/services/architecture) ### Resources - [Contact](https://rcaregeneration.co.uk/contact) - [News](https://blog.rcaregeneration.co.uk) - [Privacy Policy](https://rcaregeneration.co.uk/privacy-policy) - [Complaints Policy](https://rcaregeneration.co.uk/complaints-policy) ### Address Unit 6 De Salis Court, Hampton Lovett Industrial Estate, Droitwich Spa Worcestershire, WR9 0QE ### Newsletter ### Sign up to receive the latest RCA news & updates ![RCA Logo Text Only](https://blog.rcaregeneration.co.uk/hubfs/raw_assets/public/RCA%20Theme%2024/images/rca-logo-text-only.svg) ![](https://blog.rcaregeneration.co.uk/hubfs/raw_assets/public/RCA%20Theme%2024/images/rca-multi-line.svg) © RCA Regeneration. 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