Huntingdonshire District Council has reached an important stage in the production of two key documents which set out the approach to be taken to future development in the area - the Core Strategy and Statement of Community Involvement.
The Core Strategy sets out the council’s overall approach to development up to 2021 and the key policies that will be used when considering individual planning applications. The Statement of Community Involvement sets out how the council proposes to consult and encourage everyone who has an interest in Huntingdonshire to participate in the decision making on planning issues which affect them.
Comments already made by the public on its preferred policy approaches in the Core Strategy, have been taken into account, and changes made where appropriate. Similarly, the Statement of Community Involvement has been updated to take into account suggestions made by the public. Both documents are being submitted to the government for approval today (28 April 2006). There will follow a further six weeks of public consultation, and at this stage anyone can make comments relating to the ‘Tests of Soundness’ of the documents, as laid down by the Government, to assess their content and that all the correct processes and procedures have been followed in preparing them. An independent Inspector will be appointed to consider any representations received and carry out public examinations into the soundness of the documents. Once the Inspector is satisfied that the documents are sound, they will be formally adopted by the Council.
Richard Probyn, Development Plans & Implementation Manager said: “The Core Strategy is one of the most important documents to have been produced in a long time. It provides a framework for the District’s future that will have a real impact on what happens for years to come.”
“We are keen to encourage public participation in the planning process and from the comments we have already received in support of the Statement of Community Involvement, we are confident that people are happy with the proposals we have come up with .”
“This is the last chance to comment on these documents, and we would urge people to take advantage of this final opportunity to get involved and make their views known”.
People have until 9 June 2006 to make comments by completing one of the representation forms which are available on the Council’s website, from the Council offices at Pathfinder House in Huntingdon, and from libraries and public access points around the District. Full details are provided on the Council website, where there is also guidance on how to make representations, as the process for commenting at this stage is rather different than that which people may be familiar with at earlier stages.