Open - First draft Local Plan consultation

The Borough Council is currently progressing a review of the whole Local Plan, following the adoption of the Local Plan Part 2. The first draft Local Plan (regulation 18) consultation opened at 09:00 on 13 March 2024 and will close at 23:59 on 08 May 2024.  The new Local Plan will eventually replace the Core Strategy and the Local Plan Part 2. The new Local Plan is presented as a single document, rather than being separate Local Plans covering strategy, allocation and detailed policies. The plan includes a strategy for development, including identifying needs for housing and economic development over the period to 2041. The plan also identifies land for development and other site-specific policies, as well as detailed policies to help determine planning applications. The draft local plan sets out the council's preferred approach. Consultation at this stage provides an opportunity to suggest changes or support the preferred approach, before the Council finalises the Local Plan. The emerging plan is supported by documents contained within the Local Plan Evidence Base. Additionally the Council is seeking views on Potential Community Infrastructure levy rates (opens new window). 

The Council is also welcoming submissions of sites from landowners which could be considered for gypsy and traveller provision and provides an opportunity to submit further sites to be considered for Local Green Space designation. The draft Local Plan, evidence base documents, information on previous stages and details of how comments may be submitted can be found on the emerging Local Plan website. A timetable for the preparation of Local Plan documents is set out in the Local development scheme.