Chesterfield Borough Council has launched a consultation to support the development of a new Local Plan for the borough with residents and local businesses being invited to have their say.
The Local Plan is a crucial part of the planning process and sets out how many homes and commercial properties will be built, and where. This aims to ensure that new development is sustainable and supports local economic growth without negatively impacting upon people’s health and wellbeing or the environment.
The consultation is open from 15 June until 12 July so that residents and businesses can share their key priorities and influence what will be incorporated into the draft Local Plan.
A Call for Sites is also running alongside this consultation to allow people to suggest sites for development and other uses.
The new Local Plan will set out where development should happen over the next fifteen years and identifies how infrastructure including school places, GP surgeries, leisure facilities, roads, and green spaces can be provided to meet the needs of both of existing and new residents.
Chesterfield Borough Council started preparing a new Local Plan last year, but the process has restarted due to the introduction of a new system for preparing Local Plans in March of this year. Any sites submitted as part of last year’s Call for Sites will still be considered, so there is no need to resubmit them.
Councillor Martin Stone, Chesterfield Borough Council’s cabinet member for climate change, planning and environment, said: “This is the first step in creating a new Local Plan that reflects the needs and ambitions of our residents. We want to hear from people to ensure that we can prepare a plan which ensures that development takes place in the right place, that we provide the infrastructure needed to support our communities and we can protect the environment.
“The Local Plan will help guide planning decisions for the next 20 years and sets out policies that developers must follow, this is an important document, and we want to ensure that the views of local people help shape this plan.”
A timetable outlining the key stages of the new plan along with the notice confirming the start of the process can be viewed online on the planning policy and the Local Plan page.
As well as setting out where development should happen the Local Plan will also include policies which will help guide the planning process. And it plays a key role in tackling the climate emergency by guiding the transition to a low carbon society, mitigating climate change and improving biodiversity across the borough.
Councillor Martin Stone, said: “We are aiming to become a carbon neutral borough by 2050, and the Local Plan will play a key part in ensuring that we can meet this target. Your feedback can help ensure we include policies and identify ways to support nature, improve biodiversity and encourage housing to be more efficient and produce less emissions. This is a fantastic opportunity for you to play your part in helping tackle climate change here in Chesterfield.”
The Local Plan consultation and Call for Sites are open until 12 July. You can take part by visiting the new Local Plan 2025 to 2044 page.
