WILTSHIRE Council is starting from scratch on one of the county’s most important planning documents after its previous Local Plan collapsed following a nine-year process that cost more than £2 million.

Cabinet has now agreed to begin work on a brand-new Local Plan, which will set out where thousands of new homes, jobs, roads and other infrastructure should be built over the coming years.

The move comes just weeks after the council withdrew its previous plan from independent examination after government-appointed Planning Inspectors indicated it was unlikely to be approved.

The new plan must be completed within a faster 30-month timetable introduced by the government.

Residents, businesses and community groups will get their first chance to influence it during a scoping consultation planned for September, with further consultations to follow.

One of the biggest challenges will be meeting the government’s new housing targets.

The council said the plan will need to accommodate around 3,500 new homes every year – a significant increase on the previous target of just under 2,000.

Council leader and cabinet member for strategic planning, Cllr Ian Thorn, said: “Starting work on a new Local Plan means we can plan positively for Wiltshire’s future, making sure development is in the right places, supported by the right infrastructure, and shaped by the views of local people.

“Meaningful consultation will be at the heart of this work, giving communities the ongoing opportunity to have their say, help shape proposals, and ensure the plan reflects the needs and priorities of Wiltshire’s residents and businesses.

“However, we must be clear – because of the Government’s approach to how housing need is calculated, this new Local Plan will need to plan for around 3,500 homes per year, an increase from just under 2,000 homes per year. This is a significant number and it will be challenging, but by working with our communities, I am confident we can deliver these new homes for residents.”

The new Local Plan will also combine housing, minerals, waste and Gypsy and Traveller planning into a single county-wide document.