31 AUGUST 2007:  LIKE all local planning authorities, Harrogate Borough Council has to prepare a new style Local Development Framework (LDF) made up of a number of documents that will replace the current Local District Plan.  When complete, the LDF will outline the vision of what the district should be like in 2021. 

 

Preparing the Core Strategy the first major LDF document, which provides the land use framework has been a major undertaking.  It has now been sent off to Government for approval but the public still has time to comment until 19 October.

 

Councillor Don Mackenzie, Cabinet Member for Planning and Transport, wishes to thank residents and business representatives within the district who have helped to develop the Core Strategy over the past three years, by attending public meetings, consultations and discussion groups or by completing questionnaires.  He said:  "This input has been invaluable and we believe the document reflects as far as possible the general public's views on the best way forward for the development and conservation of this district. 

 

"It is especially rewarding that our latest consultation showed that three out of four people were in support of most aspects of the Core Strategy.  One of our key priorities is to ensure that we can continue to manage house growth but at the same time provide more affordable homes.  The strategy also aims to reduce traffic congestion and make sure that future development will be of high quality design with low to zero carbon footprints."

 

Councillor Mackenzie accepts that the council may not have been able to meet all expectations and from 7 September until 19 October everyone has the opportunity to make representations either in support of or in opposition to the strategy. 

 

These final comments will be forwarded to the Government's independent inspector who will hold a public examination of the document next spring before making their decision on whether the Core Strategy can be adopted.

 

"I don't want people to get confused about this strategy document, added Councillor Mackenzie.  "It does not contain proposals about any specific sites.  Full consultation on specific sites will take place in January and February next year when the council will publish its Preferred Options for Site Allocations for houses and jobs."

 

NOTE TO EDITORS:  The Core Strategy and associated documents and response forms are available at the main Council Offices, the district's libraries and at www.harrogate.gov.uk/harrogate-03161