First look at borough Local Plan consultation

The Local Plan Issues and Strategic Options consultation, which took place over a 12-week period from 1 November 2021 to 24 January 2022, is the first stage in the Local Plan process and aims to identify the key planning issues facing the borough and potential options or policies that can be implemented to address them.

More than 3,500 submissions and comments were made by 289 individuals as part of the public consultation process. Consultation involves residents, businesses, partnership organisations and community groups. Each submission has been taken into account and will inform the Local Plan as it moves through each development stage.

A summary of all the responses to the Issues and Options consultation will be published on the Council’s website.

On Wednesday, 15 June, the Economy, Environment and Place Scrutiny Committee will review the report alongside an officer presentation. This will include a summary of the issues raised during the public consultation programme. The report will then go onto the Cabinet agenda for in July. 

Cabinet member with portfolio responsibility for strategic planning, Cllr. Andrew Fear, said: “We are now fully embarked on an appropriate Local Plan for Newcastle-under-Lyme. This plan will reflect the unique characteristics of the borough and the needs of its communities. From that sound base we can implement the planning policies we need to deliver exactly what the area needs, in terms of housing, employment opportunities and a vibrant local economy, now and well into the future.”

“It is important that we include all members of our communities and explore all the options that are available in the borough. The extended public consultation period between November and January went a long way towards that and there really are some fantastic opportunities for us to explore.

“I want to thank everyone who has submitted comments online, or raised issues with our planning officers during the public consultation, during this first stage. I hope we’ll have an equally enthusiastic and knowledgeable engagement with our communities later in the year.”

The Council has issued a ‘Call for Sites’ which invites borough landowners and the development industry to submit potential sites for assessment.

Cllr. Fear added: “The Call for Sites seeks to identify further opportunities for development and the Council is proactively looking to prioritise those within previously developed areas, known as ‘brownfield’ sites.”

The Council has provided a number of drop-in sessions and appointments where interested parties could find out more about the Local Plan Issues and Strategic Options document and how to make comments on it. A total of 13 events (10 in-person and three virtual) were held across the borough.

There will be a further opportunity for the borough’s communities to engage with the Local Plan process later in the year.

Once the complete Local Plan has been finalised it will be submitted to the Planning Inspectorate for examination and approval.

More information on the Local Plan can be found on the Council’s website using this link: https://www.newcastle-staffs.gov.uk/planning-policy