Local Plan amendments back for public consultation

Newcastle-under-Lyme Borough Council is sharing its provisional updates to the Draft Local Plan following feedback from the Government-appointed Planning Inspector.

Running until 17th December, residents, businesses and other groups can comment on the latest proposed changes to the Plan – but not the other parts of it.

Andrew Fear, Newcastle-under-Lyme Borough Council's Cabinet member for Strategic Planning, said:

This has been a lengthy democratic process with the community involved at every step of the way.
 

The Inspector, Anne Jordan, confirmed that the Council had met its legal obligations, and agreed with many aspects of its plans.
 

She also decided some ideas should not be included, while other proposals needed modifying before they could be approved.”

Revised proposals now to be consulted upon include:

• the proposed removal of a number of sites in the Plan including at Audley, Chesterton and Knutton;
• a revised policy approach to heritage;
• an updated approach to how pollution, including air quality in the borough, is considered.

The Local Plan provides long-term clarity for residents by identifying areas for housing, business development and community facilities, while also specifying which areas of the borough will be protected from development.

To reach this stage the Plan has been through several rounds of consultation and public hearings, before the Planning Inspector made her views known.

Consultation on the proposed amendments is open until 17th December and details can be found here, or in local libraries. The remainder of the Plan is not open to consultation now.

Following that process, the Inspector will issue her final report, which will then return to Full Council in 2026 to be considered for adoption.