Rutland County Council launches public consultation on Local Plan
It'll run for 11 weeks - starting today!
Last updated 30th Jun 2022
A public consultation is underway across Rutland to help form a new Local Plan for the County.
Every planning authority must sets out plans for new buildings, environmental protections and infrastructure investment for the next 15 year period.
Rutland County Council says it will run for 11 weeks - starting today.
The Issues and Options consultation is an important part of the Local Plan process. It asks residents and businesses how they would choose to tackle the key issues that will affect Rutland’s future. People’s responses will then be reviewed alongside detailed evidence and analysis of the same key issues to create a draft Local Plan, which will be subject to further public consultation.
You can view all the information and give your feedback online here.
Councillor Lucy Stephenson, Leader of Rutland County Council, said: “This is the first stage of public consultation for preparing new Rutland Local Plan. It asks for views on a range of planning issues and possible options for the future development of our County. The Local Plan will set out the strategy for the amount, location and design of new development. At the same time, the Plan is an opportunity for us to progress our ambitions around climate change, meeting affordable housing needs, supporting jobs and promoting biodiversity.
“The Issues and Options document gives an overview of the 12 key issues which need to be addressed in the new Local Plan. The consultation also sets out questions around the possible options for addressing each issue. The Issues and Options consultation does not identify new sites for housing, employment and other developments. This will be included in the next consultation stage in summer 2023, called Regulation 18.”
The 12 key topics that will be explored through the Issues and Options consultation are:
- Tackling the climate crisis
- Determining the appropriate level and location of growth
- Meeting identified current and future housing needs
- Enabling a prosperous and resilient economy, linked to levels of housing growth
- Supporting vibrant town centres and a network of local centres to serve local retail and service needs
- Enabling safer and stronger communities, supported with viable and accessible community and cultural facilities
- Promoting sustainable and active modes of travel
- Ensuring new development is well designed to encourage active and healthy lifestyles and address health inequalities
- Conserving and enhancing Rutland's historic assets
- Protecting and enhancing the county's biodiversity, wildlife habitats, green and blue infrastructure, and open spaces
- Addressing minerals and waste requirements alongside environmental considerations
- Ensuring development is supported by essential infrastructure and services