Addressing a key commitment of the new partnership administration, our elected members will shortly consider a new framework for the borough's Local Plan.
A comprehensive report, which will be reviewed at a cabinet meeting on 8 November and at Full Council on 22 November, sets out a new approach and updated timetable in the form of a Local Development Scheme which, once finalised, will act as a blueprint for how land in the borough is used and developed until 2040.
Cllr Nik Oakley, Portfolio Holder for Planning, Infrastructure and Transport, commented: “Our new partnership administration has worked closely with our Planning Policy team to meet our commitment to present a new framework for the borough’s previously 'set aside' Local Plan. This report, which members will be asked to review at two public meetings this month, marks an important milestone as we chart our progress.
“This work has been complex, but a priority has been to ensure we drew on the nearly 18,000 responses that the council received in the consultation run during the previous administration in 2021.
“The overwhelming feedback then was deep concern over the amount of land that was being proposed for removal from the Green Belt and being allocated for housing and employment development. We’re committed to ensuring that the new plan places greater emphasis on protecting those areas when setting targets for housing and employment land.
“Members will also be asked to approve the publication of our Local Development Scheme at the November meetings. This scheme commits to a public consultation in spring 2024 on new and revised key policies and sites for housing and employment for possible inclusion in the final version of our Local Plan.”
The agenda for the cabinet meeting, including a detailed report, can be found on our website.
Posted on Wednesday 1st November 2023