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A consultation on the further Main Modifications to our emerging Local Plan is scheduled to start shortly.
Local Plan – Consultation on further Main Modifications
An additional consultation on the further changes (known as further Main Modifications) to Epping Forest District Council’s emerging Local Plan is scheduled to start shortly as the Council reaches the final stages of the Plan’s Examination.
Councillor Nigel Bedford, Cabinet Portfolio Holder responsible for the Local Plan was pleased to update councillors at Full Council on Tuesday 11 October.
The Council is aiming for the consultation to commence on or around 28 October 2022. Council staff are working behind the scenes to prepare the website, documents and consultation forms. The consultation will last 6 weeks.
Consultees will be given the opportunity to comment solely upon the further Main Modifications proposed at this stage. It is not an opportunity to comment upon previous changes that have already been consulted upon, or parts of the Plan that are not subject to further modification.
The Schedule of Main Modifications, clearly identifying the further Main Modifications which are subject to consultation, and all supporting documents will be published via the Council’s Local Plan website.
Anyone who has previously registered for the Local Plan updates will receive notification when the consultation commences. Paper copies of the consultation material will be available at the Civic Offices and local libraries.
What is the Local Plan
The Local Plan is a district-wide plan which identifies the vision and aspirations for the future of the area. The planning policies, and allocations in the plan identify sites or areas which can be developed and those which should be protected.
The Local Plan will help shape future development in the district up to 2033. It sets out the level and distribution of planned growth, including new homes and employment land.
The Plan includes policies which will be used to assess planning applications, ensuring new development is sustainable, well designed and provides for the future needs of the district.
Once finalised and adopted, the Local Plan will become the statutory (legal) development plan for the Epping Forest District.
What happens to the consultation responses?
Responses to the consultation will be sent to the independent government-appointed inspector. Once the inspector has considered the responses, including the evidence presented throughout the duration of the Examination, he will determine whether the Local Plan is ‘sound’ and make his final recommendations to the Secretary of State. Only once the plan has received ministerial approval can it then be adopted by the Council.
Following the removal of personal information such as contact details and addresses, consultation responses will be published on the Council’s Local Plan website for everyone to read.
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