Have your say on the local plan for Surrey Heath
It looks at how the area will be developed between now and 2038
If you live in Surrey Heath, you're being asked to have your say on the council's plan for how the area will be developed - over the next 16 years.
The Draft Local Plan sets out a vision for how Surrey Heath will develop as a place up to 2038. It aims to protect and enhance our Borough’s attractiveness as a place to live, work, and visit.
The plan sets out planning policies that provide the detailed framework to guide development once the plan is adopted. At that stage, the finalised policies would be used to help decide whether planning applications in the Borough are approved or refused.
The council wants as many local people as possible to tell them about their views on the draft plan.
Find out how to respond to the consultation on their website at: surreyheath.gov.uk/draftlocalplan
You’ll also find details of planned Draft Local Plan public exhibitions, drop in events and virtual sessions.
The deadline for responding to the consultation is noon on May 9.
If you are not able to visit the website, you can find out more information about the Draft Local Plan consultation at Surrey Heath House.
Printed copies of the key consultation documents, including the draft plan, are available at the SHBC office reception area, and at all libraries within the Borough.
The overarching challenge facing planning in the Borough is providing enough additional housing and infrastructure to support the growing population, whilst making sure that the environment is protected and the quality of life of residents is maintained.
The Local Plan seeks to do this in the following ways:
Planning for new homes
• Identifying specific sites for new homes
• Requiring a proportion of affordable homes on all new housing sites
• Planning for the type and mix of homes we need, including for older people
• Making efficient use of land for new housing.
Enhancing our town centres, retail offering, and economy
• Focusing new development in Camberley town centre, to ensure it remains competitive and an attractive choice to live, work, and shop
• Allowing greater flexibility in how local businesses use their buildings, and the types of businesses that can come forward, to help adapt to a changing economy.
Infrastructure
• Making sure that new development contributes to improving roads, schools, and other community facilities
• Supporting improvements to walking and cycling in our local areas.
Environment
• Protecting the Green Belt from inappropriate development
• Resisting development in areas that are more likely to flood
• Ensuring developments make improvements to biodiversity in the area
• Seeking high levels of energy efficiency and to achieve net-zero emission development
• Making sure new development is adapted to the effects of climate change.
Design and Heritage
• Promoting healthy and sustainable living in communities through good design
• Making sure new development fits in with and improves the unique design and heritage of different local areas
• Protects heritage assets in local areas for future generations.
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