South Worcestershire Development Plan Review (SWDPR)

The SWDPR is a planning framework that aims to ensure development has a positive impact on the environment. It has been jointly prepared by the three authorities of Malvern Hills, Wychavon and Worcester City. It forms the heart of the new Local Development Framework.

It considers the long term vision and objectives for South Worcestershire and contains the policies for delivering these objectives in a planned and cohesive manner.

This South Worcestershire Development Plan Review:

• allocates larger ‘strategic' sites across South Worcestershire;
• provides policies to ensure that any development is sustainable;
• and assesses all other potential development sites whether for housing, employment, retail, education, health, community use or an open space use.

You can read more about the SWDPR and access evidence base documents on the dedicated SWDPR website.

South Worcestershire Development Plan Review adoption

On 26 March 2026 the South Worcestershire Councils, comprising of Malvern Hills District Council, Worcester City Council and Wychavon District Council, adopted their new Local Plan entitled the South Worcestershire Development Plan Review 2021-2041. 

The South Worcestershire Development Plan Review 2021-2041 replaces the South Worcestershire Development Plan 2016 in its entirety. 

The development plan for South Worcestershire now consists of the South Worcestershire Development Plan Review 2021-2041 and Neighbourhood Plans. There is currently one designated Neighbourhood Area within Worcester, in Warndon Parish.

The Local Plan was submitted to the Secretary of State on 27 September 2023. The Local Plan was subject to independent examination carried out by Phillip Lewis BA (Hons) MA MRTPI and Elaine Worthington BA (Hons) MTP MUED MRTPI IHBC, two Planning Inspectors appointed by the Secretary of State. The Inspectors chaired public meetings between 4 March 2025 and 4 September 2025. Following the hearings, ‘main’ and ‘additional’ modifications were subject to public consultation over a six-week period between 6 January 2026 and 17 February 2026.

In the Inspectors’ report issued to the South Worcestershire Councils on 12 March 2026 the Inspectors confirmed that, subject to the main modifications recommended, the South Worcestershire Development Plan Review 2021 – 2041 is considered to be sound and legally compliant.

Pursuant to Section 23 (3) of the Planning and Compulsory Purchase Act 2004, the adopted South Worcestershire Development Plan Review 2021-2041 incorporates these main modifications, along with additional modifications made by the South Worcestershire Councils. The South Worcestershire Development Plan Review 2021-2041 now carries full weight in the consideration of planning applications.