Consultation on South Kesteven Local Plan opens
People are being encouraged to have their say on the district's future
An eight-week consultation period offering people in South Kesteven to have their say on the district's future is beginning today(Thursday 29th).
The current plan for 2011-2036 was adopted in January 2020, with a commitment to an early review allowing changes in local housing requirements and provide an update on the provision of employment land and Gypsy and Traveller accommodation.
The review will take the plan forward to 2041.
The Local Plan provides a vision for creating sustainable development in the District as well as proposed sites and planning policies.
" 701 new homes are required in South Kesteven each year which means by 2041, 14,020 new homes will need to be built in the District"
SKDC Cabinet Member for Housing and Planning, Cllr Phil Dilks, said: “Consultation is an important part of the Local Plan review process and the views of the public are important to us.
“We would like to encourage residents to participate in shaping a key planning document for the District so that we can guarantee a Local Plan that addresses the issues we face and takes account of social, environment and economic factors."
The review takes into account the Government’s proposed new method for calculating local housing need, which identifies that 701 new homes are required in South Kesteven each year which means by 2041, 14,020 new homes will need to be built in the District.
Cllr Dilks said: “The Government’s National Planning Policy Framework determines the housing need, not local authorities, and we need to acknowledge that more land for housing is needed than allocated in the current Local Plan.
"This draft Local Plan therefore proposes land allocations for housing and employment, on which we welcome your views”.
As part of an assessment of housing and employment land availability developers, landowners, agents, and the public were invited to submit potential sites and those suitable have been included in the draft Local Plan up to 2041.
Cllr Dilks said: “We have a current adopted Local Plan which provides a robust development framework for growth. This consultation on the draft updated Local Plan provides an opportunity for the community and other key stakeholders to let us know their thoughts on our proposed policies and land allocations.”
Consultation is taking place with the general public as well as a wide range of stakeholders including developers, landowners and statutory consultees.
How to give your comments:
Comments can be made online using the consultation portal on the Council’s website: www.southkesteven.gov.uk/localplanreview, by email at planningpolicy@southkesteven.gov.uk by post at Planning Policy Team, South Kesteven District Council, Council Offices, The Picture House, St Catherine’s Road, Grantham, NG31 6TT.