Have your say on the Local Plan!
A public consultation on a new draft Local Plan (LP) that identifies land for future development in the St Albans District is to start next month.
A public consultation on a new draft Local Plan (LP) that identifies land for future development in the St Albans District is to start next month.
St Albans City and District Councillors voted in July to publish the draft LP which earmarks areas suitable for new housing, commercial building and infrastructure.
Individuals, businesses and other organisations are now able to give their views on the proposals which can be viewed on the Council’s website.
The consultation opens on Tuesday 4 September and runs for just over six weeks until Wednesday 17 October.
People can have their say online at www.stalbans.gov.uk/LocalPlan2018 (link content no longer available due to retirement of former website). The website page has a video that explains the major issues involved.
Information about the LP is also available at the Council’s offices at the Civic Centre, St Peter’s Street, St Albans, as well as public libraries and Town and Parish Council offices.
The draft LP covers the years 2020 to 2036 and conforms to a Government proposal that 913 new homes a year – 14,608 in total – should be built during that period.
Eleven sites in the Green Belt to provide some of the new homes and jobs have been put forward.
Councillor Mary Maynard, Portfolio Holder for Planning, said:
The draft Local Plan was supported by Councillors from all parties and all parts of the District.
I believe we have produced an LP that balances the need to protect the Green Belt as far as we can while allowing for the creation of much-needed news homes, employment centres and infrastructure.
This consultation is another highly-significant point in the LP process and I urge people to take a look at the proposals and give their views.
It is important that we hear from as wide a cross-section of the public as possible so that all voices are heard.
After the consultation closes, the Council will consider the feedback and decide if any changes are required.
If all goes to schedule, the LP will then be submitted in March to the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government who will appoint a Planning Inspector to examine it.
The Council carried out an extensive consultation earlier this year as the LP was drafted.
This included 14 exhibitions, staffed by planning officers, at venues throughout the District. A booklet explaining the issues was delivered to 60,000 households.
Picture: Cllr Maynard with a copy of the draft Local Plan.
Councillor contact:
Cllr Mary Maynard, Portfolio Holder for Planning and Building Control, St Albans City and District Council.
Tel: 01582 620801, Email: Cllr.M.Maynard@stalbans.gov.uk
Media contact:
John McJannet, Principal Communications Officer, St Albans City and District Council.
Tel: 01727-296130, E-mail: john.mcjannet@stalbans.gov.uk