Some of our readers will already have completed the online consultation form on the strategic issues and options for the Local Plan (See link below in article of 15th May). If you have yet to complete it, you may find the attached briefing note helpful. It gives an indication of the Association’s initial thoughts on the options being proposed.
It should first be said that we believe the Council has gone about the consultation process in the right way in making every effort to reach out to as many local residents and groups as possible. The online questionnaire is not in the least bit technical and is easily readable. If you still feel the consultation is not for you, you may wish to consider that one of our concerns (and indeed that of the Council) is that without an up-to-date and adopted Local Plan we risk planning decisions being taken out of the Council’s hands.
It should be noted that by responding to this consultation and agreeing to have your contact details stored on the Council’s database, you will automatically be notified of future consultations. The public response to stage 1 of the I&O process will influence and feed into the 2nd Stage, at which point, although comments will still be possible, the main thrust of the Local Plan will have been determined; and any attempt at blocking its eventual adoption will be futile.