More work scheduled on key planning document

Harborough District Council says more time is required for key external assessments to be completed and for it to seek the necessary cooperation with other local authorities across Leicestershire, to ensure the draft Local Plan is as comprehensive and robust as possible.

The new Local Plan will set out planning policies in the district up to 2031. It will make sure development meets strategic priorities in terms of housing, employment, community facilities, transport and other infrastructure needed to support development. It will also help shape development in rural areas and promote sustainable economic growth across the district.

The draft Local Plan will include a preferred option for the development of a key area of housing, and associated infrastructure, to meet some of the Harborough district’s long-term housing need.

The council says good progress is being made on the preparation of the new Local Plan which will be published at the earliest possible date to allow for public representations.

Cllr Jo Brodrick, Harborough District Council’s spokesman for planning and regeneration, said: “We need the full picture before we can make any decisions. We owe it to the public to have every relevant bit of information at our disposal before we reach any conclusions on where new housing, and other important development, should be located in the district.”

The proposed new timetable is set out as follows:

• July 2017 – Council approval of pre-submission Local Plan for publication
• November 2017 – Submission of the Local Plan for public examination
• February 2018 – Examination hearings
• July 2018 – Receipt of final Inspector’s report
• September 2018 – Adopt the Local Plan

Harborough District Council’s Executive will consider the revised schedule at its meeting on Monday 31 October 2016 at 5pm in the council chamber.

View the Executive report on the council’s website