TrustNews Sep 22

Local Plan timetable delayed

John Beveridge reports.

The City Council has announced a delay in the production of the first draft of the Local Plan. The plan will set out how the Council intends to accommodate the growth they need to plan for in the whole District, outside the South Downs National Park, for the period up to 2039.

One of the reasons for the delay is new guidance issued by Natural England on the impact of wastewater produced by new development on the integrity of nationally protected sites, which now includes phosphates as well as nitrates in the River ltchen Catchment Area. A six week consultation period will be held from 2 November to 14 December. Before that the Council's Local Plan Advisory Group will discuss the document in the middle of September and the Cabinet will discuss it on 18th October, so it will be available to read well before the start of the formal consultation.

Everyone will be able to comment on the Local Plan. The Trust will be doing so and anyone interested in contributing to its response is invited to email us. Members are encouraged to make their own personal comments.

Winchester.gov.uk/pIanning-poIicy/winchester-district-IocaI-plan-2018-2038-emerging/local-plan-news