Local Plan update

Local Plan update

Cabinet has today responded to the recommendations put forward by the Inclusive Growth and Skills Scrutiny Committee following its Task and Finish Review of the Knowsley Local Plan.

A Local Plan is a statutory, long-term planning document created by local councils to guide development, manage land use, and address housing, infrastructure, and environmental needs.

Knowsley's current local plan was most recently updated in 2016 and has helped to shape high quality housing, employment and cultural developments such as Halsnead Garden Village, Earlesfield Park and Shakespeare North Playhouse. The local plan has also allowed the Council to secure affordable homes and Section 106 funds to enhance green spaces like Finch Woods, as well as supporting employment opportunities and local businesses.

The Inclusive Growth and Skills Scrutiny Committee carried out a Task and Finish Review in January 2026. The Committee considered the delivery of the current Local Plan for Knowsley and considered how to build on the successes and learn from any challenges in the production of a new Local Plan for Knowsley.

The findings and recommendations of the review are intended to inform the production of the new Local Plan which the Government require the Council to begin later this year. The Task and Finish Review focussed on three key areas - delivery of the current Local Plan and the importance of planned growth; how a Local Plan is developed and the factors considered in its preparation; and exploring how the Local Plan can deliver social value, infrastructure, and broader community benefits.

Committee Members recognised that the current Local Plan has successfully supported the rebalancing of the Borough's housing stock by providing a wider range of modern market and affordable homes. While acknowledging the high-quality accommodation created through recent developments, Committee Members emphasised the ongoing need to increase the supply of one and two bedroom homes across all tenures. Committee Members also noted that as the Borough continues to grow, such spaces will become increasingly important in ensuring development is balanced with environmental sustainability. Protecting, enhancing, and strategically integrating green spaces into future planning policy was therefore identified as a key consideration.

The Committee reaffirmed the vital role of meaningful consultation in shaping the emerging Local Plan. The Scrutiny Committee saw how investment secured through the planning process has enhanced local recreational facilities and contributed to wider community wellbeing. Developer Contributions, also known as Section 106 (s106) agreements or Planning Obligations, play an essential role in mitigating the impacts of development on local services and infrastructure.

Alongside developer contributions, the Committee also considered how social value is secured through the planning process.

Cllr Tony Brennan, Cabinet Member for Regeneration and Economic Development, said "The review undertaken by the Inclusive Growth and Skills Scrutiny Committee was extremely thorough and provided a series of recommendations that we have accepted and will be progressed as part of the development of a new Local Plan. They will help to ensure that the any future local plan will contribute to the delivery of the Council Plan particularly in relation to encouraging growth that benefits everyone and helping to ensure that our communities and town centres can flourish."