Still time to have your say on Northumberland Local Plan
19 Feb 2019 ARCHIVED (over 3 months old) - view latest news
Over 600 people have already taken the opportunity to find out more about the Northumberland Local Plan at local drop-in consultation events.
In this final six weeks of consultation, before the plan is submitted to Government this May, Northumberland County Council has arranged a total of 23 events - with 14 still to go.
The drop-in events are providing opportunities for residents, businesses, community and voluntary groups, town and parish town councils, and anyone with an interest in the future of Northumberland to find out more and have their say.
Unlike previous consultations, at this stage the council has to ask specific questions. These are around whether the plan is ‘sound’, whether it is legal, whether it is an appropriate strategy and whether the council has worked with neighbouring authorities and other organisations to address strategic issues.
The local plan must comply with planning law and be in line with national planning policies. It must also have been prepared using robust and credible evidence, have properly assessed the need for homes, jobs and infrastructure, and be able to demonstrate that the plan can be delivered.
The council welcomes comments in these areas - which are also the questions that the independent Planning Inspector will be asking as part of the examination later this year. Guidance will be provided for respondents.
The Local Plan includes all of the main planning policies for the county, and maps out where new homes will be built, new jobs created and new services provided.
It has been designed to grow and diversify the economy of Northumberland, and identifies measures to enable 15,000 new jobs to be created in the county by 2036.
Aiming to protect the Green Belt from new development and preserving the special qualities of Northumberland it will also identify where new homes will be built and where new services and infrastructure are needed to support communities.
The publication draft plan, including an interactive map, are available on the council’s website
www.northumberland.gov.uk/localplan - where you will find details about drop-in events and how to respond to the consultation. An online form and guidance notes will help you to provide your feedback.
You can also view copies of the plan in libraries, customer information centres and council offices.
If you have queries you can email planningstrategy@northumberland.gov.uk or call 0345 600 6400
Consultation closes at 5pm on Wednesday 13 March 2019.
Details of remaining drop-in events are:
Town Date Time Venue
Blyth Tue 19 Feb 2pm - 7pm Briardale Centre, Briardale Road NE24 5AN
Haydon Bridge Wed 20 Feb 2pm - 7pm Community Centre, Ratcliffe Road NE47 6ET
Bellingham Wed 20 Feb 2pm - 7pm Town Hall, Manchester Square NE48 2AS
Choppington Thu 21 Feb 2pm - 7pm Social Welfare Centre, Colliery Road NE62 5SS
Cramlington Sat 23 Feb 10am - 3pm Concordia Leisure Centre, Forum Way NE23 6YB
Morpeth Mon 25 Feb 2pm - 7pm Morpeth Town Hall, Market Place NE61 1LZ
Ponteland Tue 26 Feb 2pm - 7pm Memorial Hall, Darras Road NE20 9NX
Bedlington Wed 27 Feb 2pm - 7pm Community Centre, Front Street West NE22 5UB
Rothbury Thu 28 Feb 2pm - 7pm Jubilee Hall, Bridge Street NE65 7SD
Haltwhistle Sat 2 Mar 10am - 3pm Library, Westgate NE49 0AX
Wooler Mon 4 Mar 2pm - 7pm Cheviot Centre, Padgepool Place NE71 6BL
Seahouses Tue 5 Mar 2pm - 7pm Sports & Community Centre, Stone Close NE68 7YL
Newbiggin Wed 6 Mar 2pm - 7pm Sports & Community Centre, Woodhorn Rd NE64 6HG
-by-the-Sea
Corbridge Thu 7 Mar 2pm - 7pm Parish Hall, St Helen’s Street NE45 5BQ