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The revised launch of the Local Plan Main Modifications public consultation will take place at midday on Thursday 15 July and runs for an extended period of ten weeks to 23 September.
Main Modifications
The consultation seeks views on changes being proposed to the 2017 Local Plan Submission Version which is currently under independent examination. These are changes that the Local Plan Inspector considers necessary before the Plan can be adopted. These changes are known as Main Modifications.
The Local Plan outlines proposed development across the District until 2033. This Main Modifications stage follows the public examination hearings that took place between February and June 2019 and the Inspector’s initial advice of August 2019.
This stage of consultation is limited to the changes (main modifications) proposed to the 2017 Plan and supporting documents that have informed these changes. It is not an opportunity to comment on parts of the 2017 Local Plan that are not proposed to be changed.
Supporting documents include the Sustainability Appraisal addendum and the 2021 Habitats Regulations Assessment.
Advanced stage in examination
A Council spokesman said:
The Local Plan is at an advanced stage in examination and this is an opportunity for people to submit their views on the changes proposed to the Plan during the examination process.
It is important that people are clear on the nature of the modifications proposed at this stage. They do not include identification of any new sites for allocation for development compared with the 2017 Local Plan Submission version.
I would also stress that there is no need to repeat comments already made as part of the examination because these are already being considered by the Inspector.
The Local Plan is our highest corporate priority. Its adoption is critical in ensuring necessary development in the District is delivered in the most sustainable locations and is accompanied by the infrastructure that is required.
Consultation
Full details of the consultation will be available on the Local Plan website.
The quickest and easiest way to respond is via the online form but responses can also be made by email or post.
All responses will be collated and sent to the Planning Inspector for consideration once consultation closes and will be uploaded to the Local Plan website.
Town and Parish council representatives were briefed at a meeting of the Local Councils Liaison Committee on 8 July. The Council is also contacting people who have registered for Local Plan updates, statutory bodies such as Natural England, and other stakeholders.
Background
The Local Plan identifies the vision and aspirations for the future of an area, planning policies, and allocations identifying the sites or areas which can be developed and those which should be protected. It sets out the level and distribution of planned growth, including new homes and employment land.
The examination hearings and further work by the Council in addressing the Inspector’s Actions has led to proposed changes to the Local Plan Submission Version know as Main Modifications.
The consultation will be seeking representations on the Main Modifications to the Local Plan Submission Version and will be set out within the Main Modification Schedule and the associated supporting documents.
Representations should not be made about parts of the Plan that are not proposed to be modified.
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