We are beginning the first stage of preparing a new City of York Local Plan following our notice in July. We want to make sure communities and stakeholders understand how they can be involved.
The consultation will run from 28 September until 11.59pm on 18 December 2026.
What the consultation is about
The Call for Sites consultation is part of the first stage in preparing the next Local Plan. We are inviting landowners, developers, community groups and residents to tell us about land that may be suitable for future development. This could include sites for new homes, employment space, community facilities, renewable energy, health, green space or other forms of development and infrastructure.
This early information-gathering exercise helps us build a clear picture of what land may be available across the area. Submitting a site does not guarantee that it will be taken forward in the Local Plan. All sites will be assessed through a detailed evidence-gathering and public consultation process.
How to respond to the consultation
Anyone can put forward a site. To submit a site, you will need to provide:
- a site boundary
- basic site information, such as current use, ownership and access
- what the site could be used for; at this stage, you can consider several different uses or mixed use
- any constraints or opportunities you are aware of
At this stage, you do not have to provide any further details. If we need clarification on any matters or further information, we will be in touch.
Responses, including drawing your site plan, can be submitted through our Call for Sites survey.
The council uses a ‘digital-first, not digital-only’ approach. If you are unable to submit your response through the online survey, or if you need help preparing a submission, please contact us.
How to contact the Strategic Planning Policy Team
If you have questions, need support to take part, or want to arrange a face-to-face appointment with a member of the team at West Offices, you can contact:
Strategic Planning Policy TeamCity of York Council
Email: localplan@york.gov.uk
Telephone: 01904 552255
West Offices, Station Rise, York, YO1 6GA
What happens next
Once the Call for Sites consultation closes, all submitted sites will be logged, mapped and assessed. We will consider factors such as:
- suitability for development
- availability and deliverability
- environmental and heritage constraints
- access to infrastructure and its existing capacity
- alignment with emerging Local Plan objectives
The results of this assessment will feed into the next stage of the Local Plan, where we will identify potential development options and consult the public again.
Details of the submitted sites, and the names of those who have submitted the sites, will be made public as they will form part of the evidence base used to inform the preparation of a new plan. Sites submitted will be displayed on an online map. Any engagement with us will be processed in accordance with our Strategic Planning Policy Privacy Notice.
There are several formal steps set out in the government’s guidance on the 30-month local plan process for creating the new Local Plan. We set this out for York in our Local Plan timetable. Each stage includes an opportunity for you to get involved, and we’ll publish updates so you can see how your feedback is shaping the Plan.
You can also find more information about the site selection process in the government’s guidance on identifying, assessing and selecting sites.