Hertsmere Borough Council has confirmed that the publication of the new draft Local Plan for the borough has been moved to the autumn, in order to assess the suitability of 21 new potential employment sites in the borough.
A further consultation stage has also been added to the process meaning residents and other interested parties will get an extra opportunity to make any comments before the plan is submitted to a government-appointed independent inspector.
The Local Plan will be used to guide decisions on the delivery of new homes, schools, employment and services across the borough up to 2036.
The council’s Head of Planning, Ross Whear, signed off the revised timetable, following agreement from the council’s cross-party Member Planning Panel.
The decision comes after the council conducted a Call for Employment Sites earlier this year, which resulted in the 21 sites coming forward.
Ross Whear said: “While this decision means that residents, businesses and other interested stakeholders will have to wait a little longer to see the draft plan, it does mean there will be more opportunity to give your views.
“In order to properly assess and consider the 21 new sites submitted during our Call for Employment Sites, we need to conduct additional assessment work.
“In addition, there was cross-party agreement that a further consultation stage be added to our Local Plan process. We have already consulted extensively and remain committed to ensuring people can have their say ahead of the final plan being submitted to the government.”
Publication of the draft plan will take place in the autumn, followed by a six-week public consultation period.
There will also be a statutory six-week period of consultation, before the final plan is submitted to a government-appointed inspector next year.
Consultation has already taken place into Hertsmere’s emerging Local Plan, including most recently an eight-week consultation on the Potential Sites for Housing and Employment held at the end of 2018, which saw over 2,000 people respond.
Information on the previous consultations and details of the 21 new sites put forward in the recent Call for Employment Sites can be found at hertsmere.gov.uk/newlocalplan
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