The Local Plan that helps shape the future of Stafford Borough over the next 16 years is reaching its final stage.
Stafford Borough Council recently published the ‘Plan for Stafford Borough Part 2’ to go out for further consultation.
‘Part 1’ of the plan was given the green light in June last year and sets the housing targets for the borough and established the policies which guide new development.
Now ‘Part 2’ identifies where housing and other development is to be located by defining the settlement boundaries for Stafford and Stone – as well as key villages which serve the borough such as Eccleshall, Gnosall, The Haywoods and Barlaston. The Plan also sets out how social and community facilities will be protected.
The Council must now consult on whether the ‘Part 2’ plan is based on sound evidence, and if it identifies housing and employment land boundaries for the borough in the years to come. A Government planning inspector will hold public meetings next summer to look at the proposals. If passed the plan will guide all new development until 2031.
[box type=”shadow” ]Councillor Frances Beatty, Cabinet Member for Planning and Regeneration, said: “This plan is extremely important because it allows us to shape the future growth of Stafford Borough. For example it allows us to say where the development can take place. We now have to ensure the document has a sound evidence base before it goes before the inspector.”[/box]
[box type=”info” ]The consultation runs until 12pm on Monday 25th January 2016. For more information go to www.staffordbc.gov.uk/part2publication, email forwardplans@staffordbc.gov.uk or call the Forward Planning team on 01785 619000[/box]
