WILTSHIRE residents will get to have their say on the future of the county from today (September 2) as the Wiltshire Local Plan scoping consultation goes live.

Residents, businesses and community groups are being invited to help shape plans for where homes, jobs and infrastructure are provided across Wiltshire in the years ahead, ensuring future growth takes place in the right locations and is supported by the services and facilities communities need.

The plan will also address the supply of minerals and provision of waste management facilities.

Current Government policy requires Wiltshire to plan for around 3,500 new homes each year, making it important that local communities help to shape this growth.

Wiltshire Council says with careful planning of future developments, communities can thrive, supported by new homes, jobs, services and infrastructure where they are needed.

The first stage of public engagement, known as the scoping consultation, runs from September 2 to 30, seeking views on what the new Local Plan should contain, as well as how people would like to be involved as the plan develops.

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An online survey on the Wiltshire Council website allows residents to take part in the consultation by submitting their views.

Leader of Wiltshire Council and Cabinet Member for Strategic Planning, Councillor Ian Thorn, said: “Today marks the start of an important conversation about Wiltshire’s future, and I would encourage everyone with an interest in our county to get involved.

“The new Local Plan will influence how Wiltshire grows over the coming years, including where new homes, jobs and infrastructure are provided. It will also address the supply of minerals and provision of waste management facilities. We want communities to help shape that vision from the very beginning.

“The consultation is an opportunity to influence how growth happens, rather than simply whether it happens, so that development works as well as possible for local places.

“Whether you live, work, study or run a business in Wiltshire, this consultation is your opportunity to tell us what matters most to you and what issues the plan should focus on as it develops.

During the consultation, there will also be a series of public engagement events, giving people the opportunity to find out more and share their views, along with a public webinar. The events will take place on the following dates:

• Chippenham Market – Friday, September 4, 8.30am to 4pm
• Salisbury Market – Tuesday, September 8, 8.30am to 3pm
• Royal Wootton Bassett Library – Wednesday, September 9, 1.30pm to 6.30pm
• Devizes Market – Thursday, September 10, 9am to 3pm
• The Shires, Trowbridge – Tuesday, September 15, 10am to 3pm
• Public webinar – Thursday, September 17, 6pm to 7pm

Cllr Thorn added: “Please do come along to an engagement event, sign up for the webinar, or simply fill in the survey – but please do let us know your views as we start on this journey to creating a new Local Plan.”

To find out more and take part in the consultation, visit the Wiltshire Council website.

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