Residents are being asked for their views on the preparation of a new Local Plan in Rushcliffe that will identify future development needs and establish planning policies and site allocations to guide new homes and infrastructure.
The Plan aims to set out the vision for the borough under a new plan-making system introduced by the Government to streamline and speed up plan preparation.
It is in conjunction with national guidelines, also mandated by the Government, that steer much of the planning process and consultation approaches locally.
This scoping consultation is the first stage of that process and provides an opportunity for residents and stakeholders to tell the Council what should be included in the Local Plan, together with the opportunities, challenges and priorities that should be considered as it is prepared.
The Council is also seeking your views on how it should engage with local communities and others throughout the Plan’s preparation.
No new decisions have been made about how much future development should be accommodated or where it should be located. At this stage, the Council wishes to understand what matters and aspirations for development it should address.
The Local Plan will need to balance social, economic and environmental considerations while responding to national planning requirements and reflecting Rushcliffe’s distinctive towns, villages, countryside, heritage and environmental assets.
Anyone can give their thoughts at www.rushcliffe.gov.uk/rushcliffelocalplan, by emailing localdevelopment@rushcliffe.gov.uk, or by writing to Planning Policy, Rushcliffe Borough Council, Rushcliffe Arena, Rugby Road, West Bridgford, Nottingham, NG2 7YG.
Word and PDF versions of the response form are also available to download at www.rushcliffe.gov.uk/rushcliffelocalplan.
All views should be submitted by 5pm on Friday, October 23.
Rushcliffe Borough Council’s Cabinet Portfolio Holder for Planning and Housing, Cllr Roger Upton, said: “This consultation will help us develop an understanding of what the Local Plan should cover. It can identify the key themes and locally specific issues that you think the Local Plan should address and help us understand how you would like to engage with the Council throughout the process.
“The consultation focuses on vision and spatial strategy, housing, economic growth, and town, village and local centres. It will also centre on energy, sustainability and climate change, design and placemaking, transport, infrastructure and local services, the historic environment, the natural environment, blue/green infrastructure, and culture, tourism and sport.
“The responses received will be analysed and summarised in a Scoping Consultation Summary. Alongside technical evidence and the Strategic Environmental Assessment, they will help inform the next stages of Local Plan preparation.
“Further consultation will take place as the Local Plan is prepared and the spatial strategy, planning policies, site allocations and evidence base are developed.”
