Have your say on proposed main modifications to Local Plan
News release issued:
Consultation starts today (Thursday 14 October) on the proposed main modifications to the Wyre Forest Local Plan (2016-2036).
The plan has been progressing through formal ‘examination’ by a Government appointed planning inspector, and this expected to be the final consultation.
Public examination hearings took place during January 2021 and the inspector, Mrs Mary Travers wrote to the council to outline her findings.
She found that the local plan submitted by the council can be made sound with a series of agreed modifications, and the forthcoming six-week consultation is an opportunity for people to comment on these.
The inspector has requested that the council consults on the modifications which she considers are necessary to ensure the soundness of the plan. She will then take account of the responses to this consultation before reaching her final conclusions.
The Wyre Forest Local Plan sets out a range of development proposals as well as planning policies, which will be used to assess applications and guide the location of future development in the district up to 2036.
Councillor Helen Dyke, Leader of Wyre Forest District Council said:
“I am very pleased to see what we expect to be the final consultation on the draft Wyre Forest Plan getting underway and hope that all those with an interest will look at the main modifications and let us have their views.
“We look forward to getting the plan finalised and adopted.”
Comments are invited on the main modifications from today, Thursday 14 October, until 12pm on Friday 26 November . Full details are available at www.wyreforestdc.gov.uk/localplanmainmods
Comments should be submitted using the form provided on the website and should relate only to the main modifications and not on other parts of the plan. There is no need to repeat any previously submitted comments as these have already been passed to the inspector.
Printed versions of the consultation documents are available to view at the libraries in Kidderminster, Bewdley and Stourport-on-Severn.
Anyone requiring further information on the consultation can attend one of our drop-in sessions at the Council Chamber, Wyre Forest House, Finepoint Way, Kidderminster on Wednesday 3 November. The sessions are being held from 10am-12pm and from 4pm-6pm. There is no need to book. Covid-19 guidelines will be followed and the number of people entering the building controlled.
The Planning Policy Team can be contacted by email: planning.policy@wyreforestdc.gov.uk or telephone 01562 732928.
All comments on the consultation documents will be passed to the inspector for her consideration, and final conclusions on the soundness of the plan will be set out in a subsequent report.
If the Local Plan is found to be ‘sound’, subject to necessary modifications, it can be formally adopted by the Council.