Local Plan Consultation

LOCAL PLAN CONSULTATION Council launches consultation on local plan

Asix-week consultation exercise has been launched to gather residents’ views on the first draft of a new Local Plan for Newcastle.

The borough council is carrying out a borough-wide public engagement campaign – which began on Monday, November 1 – to gauge opinion on its ‘Issues and Strategic Options’ document.

A spokesman for Newcastle Borough Council said: “This constitutes the first stage in the plan making process and identifies key planning issues facing the borough until at least 2040, potential options to address them and suggested policy options. “In January the council resolved to prepare a new Local Plan so that it can reflect local aspirations and the unique characteristics of the borough while being responsive to wider changes in the economy. “Work to prepare a Joint Local Plan with Stoke-on-Trent City Council has now ceased but the council continues to work closely with the city on cross boundary planning issues as it does with all other neighbouring authorities.”

Residents can view the new proposals and submit comments online at https://consult.newcastlestaffs.gov.uk/kse up until 5pm on Monday, December 13.

A number of drop-in events are also taking place at community venues across the borough where people can view and discuss the current plans with the planning policy team. The remaining events, which all run from 3pm until 7pm, include: Oddfellow’s Hall, Church Rd, Loggerheads on Wednesday, November 10; The Madeley Centre, New Road on Monday, November 15; Audley Methodist Church, New Road on Wednesday, November 24; Castle House (Garden Room), Newcastle on Thursday, December 2.

In addition, virtual meetings are available via Zoom/phone call on Wednesday, November 17 from 3pm to 7pm.

Time slots for a virtual meeting should be booked in advance and it’s recommended to pre-book an appointment for the drop-in events. Please contact the planning policy team on 01782 742467 or email planningpolicy@newcastlestaffs.gov.uk for more information.

All responses will inform the publication draft of the Local Plan which is expected to go out for public consultation in autumn 2022.

Councillor Paul Northcott, Cabinet member for strategic planning, said: “The council is committed to keeping residents and other stakeholders involved and informed in the process of preparing a new Local Plan for Newcastle-under-Lyme. “Local Plans are used to guide decisions on matters ranging from the location of new housing, roads, shops, businesses, parks, schools and open spaces to the design requirements of new buildings. Policies are also used during the planning application process. “It’s important to remember that individual sites for any future housing and employment are not being considered at this stage. Before any decisions are made about what land is required for the future, we really want to hear residents’ views on the issues and options. It’s really important that they have their say so we’ve organised a number of ways they can get involved.”

The Issues and Strategic Options document can be viewed at Castle House in Newcastle as well as libraries throughout the borough during opening hours. If residents don’t have online access, they can submit comments in writing to Planning Policy, Newcastle-under-Lyme Borough Council, Castle House, Barracks Road, Newcastleunder-Lyme, ST5 1BL.