Local Development Plan 2018 - 2033

The Local Development Plan (LDP) sets out proposals and policies for the future use of all land within the County (excluding the part contained within the Bannau Brycheiniog National Park) and is part of the development plan framework for Wales. The LDP covers a period of fifteen years and should reflect national planning policy in Wales. Preparation of the Revised LDP commenced in January 2018. A detailed timeline of the Plan’s production is set out in the Consultation Report, Appendix 1: Carmarthenshire Local Development Plan (gov.wales)

Further details on the different stages of the Plan’s preparation can be viewed above by clicking on the blue boxes.

Delivery Agreement

The Delivery Agreement (DA) sets out the timetable for producing the LDP, and a Community Involvement Scheme outlining the process by which any interested groups, individuals or developers can contribute to the Revised LDP’s preparation. The original DA for the preparation of the Revised Carmarthenshire LDP 2018 - 2033 was agreed by the Welsh Government in June 2018.

In response to a number of issues, and to ensure that the Plan is procedurally sound before we submit it to the Welsh Government for examination, an updated revised DA was agreed by the Welsh Government in January 2024 and can be viewed below:

Revised Delivery Agreement           View the Welsh Government letter

LDP Transitional Arrangements for Planning Applications

Once the Inspectors’ report is published, the Revised LDP must be ‘adopted’ by the planning authority within eight weeks. Upon publication of the Inspectors’ Report, significant weight can be attached to the policies of the Revised LDP.

Planning applications validated prior to the publication of the Inspectors’ report will be considered in accordance with the current Adopted LDP. However, where an application's determination extends past the date of publication of the Inspectors’ report, but prior to the adoption of the Revised LDP, officers will need to have due regard to the content of the Revised LDP and the Inspectors’ report, with the significance of weight in decision-making shifting to the Revised LDP.

Planning applications that have been pending determination for an extended period prior to publication of the Inspectors’ report (for example, have been subject to EoT or at S106 stage) will need to be considered on a case-by-case basis, whereby the balance of weight reflects the individual matters and issues of the applications.

Such applications are those where there was a clear expectation that the application would have normally been determined within a timescale prior to the publication of the Inspectors’ report. Officers, at the point of determination, will need to reference both Plans and apply the appropriate weight to each. The following basic provisions should apply but will vary based on individual circumstances.

• If an application complies with the current Adopted LDP but conflicts with the new Revised LDP, the balance of material weight should reflect the Revised LDP. Even though it was perfectly acceptable when submitted, the new policies and provisions override those in the Adopted LDP. The imminent adoption of the Revised LDP means granting permission would undermine the strategic direction just approved by the Inspectors.
• If an application does not comply with the Adopted LDP but complies with the Revised LDP, the balance of material weight should reflect the new provisions.

Planning applications validated after the adoption of the Revised LDP will be considered against its provisions irrespective of any pre-application consultation (PAC) undertaken prior to the publication of the Inspectors’ report.

Latest Update: 17 June 2026

On the 17 June the consultation for the Affordable Housing and Planning Obligations Supplementary Planning Guidance (SPG) went live. It will be live until the 31 July 2026. The consultation documents can be found here.

Draft SPG - Affordable Housing 

Draft SPG - Planning Obligations

Latest Update 11 May 2026

Matters Arising Changes (MACs) – The consultation documents can be found here

Latest Update: 27 March 2025

On 31 January 2025, the Planning Inspectors who are conducting the Examination issued a letter to the Council instructing the requirement to find additional housing sites to be identified within the Revised LDP. The Council has undertaken that exercise and the documents can be found below.

Additional Sites

• The Additional Sites Consultation document can be viewed here
• The evidence base to the additional sites can be viewed here
• The Integrated Sustainability Appraisal (ISA)  can be viewed here
•  Habitats Regulation Assessment (HRA)  can be viewed here