Local views sought on district growth plan
Local people, businesses and developers are being invited to have their say in the latest stage of Lichfield District Council's local plan review taking place this summer.
The Lichfield District Local Plan 2040 Regulation 19 consultation will ask the public and stakeholders to give their views on the soundness and legal compliance of the pre-submission (publication) version of the district 's local plan.
All comments received will be sent to the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, who will appoint an independent planning inspector to examine the submission version of the plan along with all the representations.
This latest plan is based on updated evidence and the feedback from previous consultations.
It will be used by the council to guide how the district is developed up to 2040, including making sure there are homes, jobs, facilities and services to meet the needs of the population in a sustainable way, while protecting and enhancing the area 's environment and heritage.
Councillor Iain Eadie (pictured), cabinet member responsible for the plan, said: “All local authorities like Lichfield are required to make provision for new houses based upon what is known as the local housing need and other factors. We have to allow future growth but can choose where and how this happens.
“Our pre-submission version of the local plan sets out where we believe we should allow this growth to take place and how we think the district should be shaped over the next decade and beyond. It is based on evidence that we are continuing to update, laws, national government policy and importantly on the feedback we 've received as part of our local plan review.
"So far in the review process we have had more than 8,500 comments, which shows how passionately our communities feel about local planning. This past feedback has been invaluable in leading to some changes to what was consulted upon before and informing the choices that need to be made.
“This next stage of the process now offers everyone the chance to read our updated local plan and give their views on whether it is sound and legally compliant. All feedback will go to the Planning Inspector who will consider it alongside our submission version of the plan. We hope plenty of people get involved and have their say. ”
To read the pre-submission (publication) version of the plan, visit www.lichfielddc.gov.uk/localplan2040
The council are planning Covid-secure drop-in sessions in Lichfield and Burntwood, Fradley, Fazeley and Whittington where planning officers will talk through the plans.
Planning officers are also available over the phone to discuss the plan or clarify any information between 9am and 5pm from Monday to Friday by calling 01543 308192
An exhibition showing how the plan has been developed and its main points will be on display at Friary Grange Leisure Centre, Burntwood Leisure Centre and Burntwood Library throughout the consultation.
Written comments on the plan can be emailed to [email protected] or sent by post to: Spatial Policy and Delivery, District Council House, Frog Lane, Lichfield WS13 6YZ.
The consultation will run from 5 July to 30 August 2021.