HOUSING developments, jobs, and waste management are all up for discussion as Wiltshire Council prepares to launch the first consultation in the new Wiltshire Local Plan process next month.
The scoping consultation will give residents, businesses and stakeholders an early opportunity to help shape the future of the county, helping to ensure future growth takes place in the right locations and is supported by the services and facilities communities need.
With current Government policy requiring Wiltshire to provide around 3,500 new homes per year, significant growth is inevitable and the council would like “communities to be at the very heart” of the planning process.
Leader of Wiltshire Council and Cabinet Member for Strategic Planning, Councillor Ian Thorn, said: “The Wiltshire Local Plan will play a vital role in shaping the future of our county, helping us to plan for new homes, jobs and infrastructure while protecting and enhancing the things that make Wiltshire such a special place to live and work. It will also focus on the supply of minerals and waste management facilities.
“We know there are important conversations to have about how Wiltshire should grow in the future, and we want our communities to be at the very heart of that process.
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“While change can feel challenging, well-planned development can also bring new opportunities, investment and facilities for communities, which is why local feedback is so important in helping make that growth the best it can be.”
The first formal stage of public engagement, known as the scoping consultation, will run from September 2-30. The consultation will seek views on what the new Local Plan should contain and how people would like to be involved as it is developed.
Cllr Thorn added: “The scoping consultation in September will be the first opportunity for residents, businesses and stakeholders to share their views and help shape the direction of the plan.
“Supporting thriving communities is a key part of Our Wiltshire Plan, and the new Local Plan will help ensure growth is planned in a way that delivers the homes, jobs, services and infrastructure Wiltshire needs for the future.”
During the consultation there will be a series of public engagement events, for people to attend to find out more and share their views, as well as a public webinar. They are as follows:
- Chippenham Market, Friday September 4, 8.30am-4pm
- Salisbury Market, Tuesday September 8, 8.30am-3pm
- Royal Wootton Bassett Library, Wednesday September 9, 2pm-7pm
- Devizes Market, Thursday September 10, 9am-3pm
- Trowbridge, The Shires, Tuesday September 15, 10am-3pm
- Public webinar, Thursday September 17, 6-7pm
The council will share more information about these events before the start of the consultation.
The Local Plan process will officially begin on 30 October, when the Government’s 30-month timeline to complete the plan will start. To find out more, visit Wiltshire Council’s Local Plan web page.
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