Final call as Local Plan consultation nears close

Just two weeks remain for residents to take part in a key stage of planning for the future of Bromsgrove District, as an extended Local Plan consultation draws to a close.

Local Plans are how communities can guide where and how future homes, businesses, and infrastructure will be developed.

Bromsgrove District Council is asking residents and infrastructure providers to have their say on the area’s next plan, in an extended consultation push that has seen the authority hold 19 public events and add a special digital consultation platform, to help people take part.

It’s all on the local strategy to plan for the 9,000 new homes the Government requires by 2043.

An unprecedented 7,000 representations on it have already been submitted, and to help even more people have their say, the council extended its already-doubled 12-week consultation period to 16 weeks last month.

Portfolio Holder for Planning, Cllr Kit Taylor said: “I’ve said it before but it bears repeating - this stage may be ending soon, but this process is far from over. This consultation is how we get to have a say in what happens next, and your feedback now will shape the next stage. Share what you know, through your letters, your emails, and your comments on the digital platform. We need your input on the strategy for the Local Plan as it continues to develop, and there’s still time to read through the issues and have your say.”

The consultation builds on earlier ‘issues and options’ and ‘call for sites’ stages of the Local Plan process, outlining 21 possible development locations, and the strategy for selecting them from over 400 potential locations submitted to the council by the respondents to those earlier stages. These 21 options are still at the early stages of consideration and will be reassessed alongside all other sites following this consultation. All the responses to this stage will be carefully considered in shaping the next stage of the plan, with further consultation to follow.

The consultation will close at 5pm on Monday October 20.

Until then the council continues to make consultation materials available at www.bromsgrove.gov.uk/BromsgrovePlan, where the frequently asked questions are also published, and at the libraries in Alvechurch, Bromsgrove, Catshill, Hagley, Rubery, and Wythall.

Comments can be provided by writing to bromsgroveplan@bromsgroveandredditch.gov.uk or Bromsgrove District Council, Strategic Planning and Conservation, Parkside, Market Street, Bromsgrove, Worcestershire, B61 8DA. In addition, comments can also be made via the interactive online consultation platform, which features full guidance.

For support contact bromsgroveplan@bromsgroveandredditch.gov.uk or call 01527 881211.