Council publishes notice of intent to prepare new local plan

East Staffordshire Borough Council has formally published a notice of its intention to prepare a new Local Plan, marking the first step in shaping the future development of the borough.

The new Local Plan will guide where new homes, jobs, infrastructure and community facilities are located across East Staffordshire, ensuring sustainable growth and supporting local priorities for years to come.

Alongside the notice, the Council has released an updated timetable for the Plan’s preparation. The timetable sets out a clear roadmap, with the new Local Plan expected to be finalised within 34 months.

Residents and businesses will be able to get involved early in the process, with the first opportunity to share views taking place later this summer. This scoping consultation will help identify the key issues, challenges and opportunities that the new Local Plan should address.

To make it easier for people to stay informed and take part, the Council is encouraging residents to sign up to its online planning policy consultation portal.

By registering, users will receive automatic notifications about upcoming consultation stages and opportunities to have their say.

Cllr Shelagh McKiernan (pictured), Cabinet Member for Planning Policy, said: “This is an important milestone for East Staffordshire. The new Local Plan will help shape the future of our communities, and we want as many people as possible to be involved from the very beginning.”

Further information, including details on how to register for updates, is available on the Council’s website.