A proposed new timetable for the review of the South Worcestershire Development Plan has been published for consideration by councillors.
The plan was due to go out to public consultation next month (October), but it was announced in July it would be delayed. This is because important information from sewerage, transport and power infrastructure providers has not yet been received.
This has made it impossible to produce vital technical studies needed to support proposed developments in the plan. It is the second time the plan has had to be delayed after being pushed back because of the impact of Covid-19.
It is now proposed the final draft of the plan will be published in July next year followed by a public consultation.
It will then be submitted to the Planning Inspectorate in November 2022 for independent public examination between February and May 2023, depending on the availability of the Planning Inspectorate.
If the plan passes that stage then the expectation is it will be formally adopted by Malvern Hills District, Worcester City and Wychavon District councils in October 2023.
The new timetable is being put before all three South Worcestershire Councils before the end of this month. If approved, it will replace the earlier version of the timetable.
Cllr Tony Rowley, Chair of the SWDP Joint Advisory Panel, said: "We have had to take the difficult decision to delay the review of the SWDP for reasons outside of our control.
"We are working hard to make sure the necessary work is completed as soon as possible and there are no more delays."
The revised SWDP, sets out how a Government requirement to build another 14,000 new homes across Malvern Hills District, Worcester City and Wychavon by 2041 will be met. This is on top of the need for 28,400 new homes by 2030, more than half of which have already been built, set out in the current plan.