Early drafts of vital document which will help shape the borough’s future growth are to be discussed at a special meeting of St Edmundsbury’s Sustainable Development Panel next week.
The panel will meet on Wednesday (13 February) at 6pm to discuss the Local Development Framework (LDF) – a development plan which will eventually replace the existing Local Plan. Among other things, the LDF will look at housing distribution and outlines five different options for future growth.
Cllr Terry Clements, portfolio holder for transport and planning, said:
“We have to find places for around 7500 new homes over the next 20 years, and need to start thinking very carefully about how these properties will be distributed. On Wednesday, we will be discussing a consultation document which proposes five different options for development. If the panel recommends the document to Cabinet for approval, we will start asking for people’s thoughts and opinions on the options, and will be keen to hear from as many people as possible. We’re keen for people to get involved at this early stage so everyone can have a real influence over the shape the borough will take in the future.”
On Wednesday, the panel will discuss the following options, which are to concentrate the new development:
- in the borough’s main towns and larger villages;
- in the main towns and not the rural areas;
- in Haverhill, expanding it into the county’s fourth largest town;
- in the towns but with more development in the rural areas; or
- in a freestanding new “settlement” of at least 3000 homes, which will also provide new jobs, services and community facilities.
Cllr Clements added:
“It’s important to stress that these options are not set in stone, and the final proposal may well be an amalgamation of two or more of them. Once this has been decided, we can start to think about possible sites for development – although this will not happen for some time and we’ll be sure to consult again when it does.”
If approved by the Sustainable Development Panel, St Edmundsbury’s Cabinet will look at the consultation document on 18 February. Public consultation will begin in March and last six weeks. The document will then be amended, taking into account the consultation responses, and preferred options will be identified.
Eventually, the LDF will be submitted to the Secretary of State and looked at by a planning inspector before a final round of consultation take place. Once complete, the document will run until 2031.
ENDS
ISSUED BY LIZHEARNSHAW, COMMUNICATIONS UNIT, ST EDMUNDSBURY BOROUGH COUNCIL. Tel 01284 757033. liz.hearnshaw@stedsbc.gov.uk
