Council consults on next stage of planning blueprint

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2 September 2009

 

When Harrogate Borough Council earlier this year adopted a Core Strategy under the new statutory Local Development Framework (LDF) it became one of the first councils in the country to adopt the major changes in the way local authorities are required by Government to plan for the future.  

 

The council has this week announced the next round of consultations to develop the policies to deliver that Core Strategy.

 

Councillor Don Mackenzie, Cabinet Member for Planning and Transport, said:   "The Core Strategy provides a broad framework for development and conservation in the district over the next fifteen years.

 

"The task now is to complete the LDF and determine exactly where new development should be located and what additional policies are needed to control development and promote conservation during the Core Strategy period.

 

"We plan to consolidate this into one single, comprehensive Sites and Policies' Development Plan Document.   We believe this will simplify the process and it is in line with the Government's revised advice about reducing the number of development plan documents within the LDF."

 

The council is consulting on the proposed content of the new development plan document and informing people about the work to be undertaken over the next year on issues such as sport and open space, sites for new homes and jobs and the protection of the district's green infrastructure.

 

Between 4 September and 16 October 2009, the council is seeking comments from over 2500 contacts that have been built up over the LDF consultation process but

Cllr Mackenzie is urging all residents and businesses in the Harrogate district to put forward their views.

 

He added:   "To make sure we have a joined-up approach to the delivery of local services and that any housing development is accompanied by the necessary infrastructure, the process of preparing the complete LDF requires active collaboration with as many people as possible.   We will make sure that happens."

 

Full information is available at www.harrogate.gov.uk/harrogate-2176 For those without internet access please contact Emma Seldon on 01423 556586.

 

FURTHER INFORMATION:   Councillor Don Mackenzie, Cabinet Member for Planning and Transport is available for comment on 01423 872211 or 07957 304109.   Further technical information is available from Dave Sykes, Planning Policy Manager on 01423 556581.

 

Media contact:   Lynne Mee, Communications and Media Manager, 01423 556022 email lynne.mee@harrogate.gov.uk or mobile 07525 987921