Community views invited to shape new planning document

Residents are being invited to put forward their views on which areas should be planned for homes and business use and which land requires greater protection in the district, for a new planning document.
 
Now that the Core Strategy has been adopted the council is reviewing the old 2005 Local Plan maps and land allocations. These support the Core Strategy in the interim but need reviewing in order to provide longer term guidance. 

An Allocations Development Plan Document (ADPD) is being prepared and will include detailed maps for the whole area. The ADPD looks at what is needed to bring forward the development outlined in the Core Strategy. When approved, the allocations within the ADPD will closely guide future planning applications. 

It will include sites for housing, gypsy and traveller sites, employment, shopping and other built development together with areas that need to be protected including the green spaces within settlements and sites of ecological and historical importance. Many of the existing sites identified in the old Local Plan are expected to be retained. 

Cllr Brian Robinson, cabinet member for Efficient Council and Planning Policy said: “The ADPD has an important role in implementing the government’s wish to plan locally, taking into account the views of local communities.

“The council considers that local communities’ involvement at this stage is vital. The ADPD, guided by the Core Strategy, presents the opportunity to actually shape the plan with the communities themselves drawing the plans (and maps). We hope residents will take this opportunity to put forward their views.

“Following on from feedback at the Parish Plan Forum last week we are pleased to have extended the consultation period for this document to 27July at 5pm to make sure everyone in the community and all parish and town councils have the chance to fully contribute.”

This is the first stage in compiling the new plan and there will be further opportunities for people to have their say.

Please contact the council for further information or discussion of any submissions you may wish to consider making. You may contact the council on 01594 810000, email ldf@fdean.gov.uk or visit the website for further information.

After this consultation a draft plan will be prepared which will be open to further comment.  It will then become the final plan which will be submitted to the Secretary of State for examination.