Still time to feedback on major development plan

Still time to feedback on major development plan

Still time to feedback on major development plan

Members of the public have just under three weeks left to have their say on a plan that will guide Cheltenham Borough, Tewkesbury Borough and Gloucester City's economic and housing growth.

The questions being asked by the three councils preparing the plan are whether this final version complies with necessary legal requirements and is considered sound – and the deadline to respond is 11 August. Only one consultation event remains, which will take place on 28 July at Winchcombe Abbey Fields between 12noon and 8pm.

The plan being consulted on is being put together by Cheltenham Borough, Tewkesbury Borough and Gloucester City councils and is called the Joint Core Strategy (JCS). Once adopted it will form the basis for planning decisions across the area until 2031.

All comments made through the consultation process will be considered, and if a member of the public provides a challenge to the plan then they may be asked to present it at the next stage of the process when it gets submitted to the government.

A 'sound' plan is one that meets the required housing, employment and infrastructure needs; is the most appropriate strategy for the area; is able to be delivered over its period; and importantly is consistent with national planning policy.

The consultation is available online at www.gct-jcs.org, as well as through each of the council's websites. Exhibitions will be on display in each of the council's offices and copies of the plan will also be available at public libraries. 

Once the consultation comes to a close, the results will be submitted alongside the Joint Core Strategy, to the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government. Any comments made after the closing date of 11 August will not be considered.

Once submitted, the Secretary of State will call an Examination in Public, chaired by an independent inspector, to examine the plan and consider the issues that have been raised from the consultation.