Image demonstrating Still time to have your say on Northumberland Local Plan

Still time to have your say on Northumberland Local Plan

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
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