North East Derbyshire District Council is opening consultation on the Main Modifications to the area’s Draft Local Plan.
The draft Local Plan, which sets the strategy for future development in the area, is currently under examination and the new consultation will be on changes to it, called ‘Main Modifications’ which have been proposed by the independent inspector.
The consultation is open to everyone and will last for more than seven weeks, from Monday 2nd November until at least Wednesday 23rd December 2020. This consultation was launched prior to the likely new national Coronavirus restrictions. All comments received will be sent to the Inspector for her consideration before she issues her final report.
Cllr Charlotte Cupit, Cabinet Member for Environmental Services, said, “This consultation will allow residents to have their say on the changes proposed by the Inspector to the draft Plan so far, including the removal of three large previously allocated Green Belt sites and the updated housing land supply in our District”.
“I would urge everyone to submit their views on the proposed changes as part of this consultation. I understand there is particular concern over the remaining allocations in the Green Belt and why the Inspector has only removed some allocations from the Plan but not others. This is the last chance for communities to highlight their concerns and test the Inspector’s reasoning by commenting on her Main Modifications proposals”.
“We recognise that Covid-19 provides challenges and we will closely monitor the continuing situation. We are working hard to make this consultation accessible to residents and making extra provisions, including for anyone who may be self-isolating or unable to access the documents online.”
The Council has written to all those individuals and organisations who have previously registered for updates on the North East Derbyshire Local Plan 2014 – 2034 to notify them of the consultation.
Copies of the Main Modifications and associated documents, including the comment response forms, are available on the Council's website.
Due to Covid-19, the Council have made extra provisions for anyone self-isolating: anyone unable to access the documents online can have the documents posted out to them on request.
Background
Following submission of the Local Plan to the Government in May 2018, Inspector Sarah Housden BA (Hons) BPI MRTPI was appointed by the Secretary of State to carry out the independent Examination of the North East Derbyshire Local Plan 2014-2034.
As part of the Examination, the Inspector held Hearing Sessions in November and December 2018 and March 2019. She has now identified a number of Main Modifications and is inviting representations on them.