Have your say on future housing plans in Wiltshire

A new plan for housing in Wiltshire to help  meet housing needs as identified in the Wiltshire Core Strategy will go out to public consultation next month.

The Housing Site Allocations Plan identifies proposed sites for new homes across Wiltshire to ensure sufficient housing is provided for the period to 2026, which will help the council plan effectively for growth in the most sustainable way. The draft plan also reviews existing settlement boundaries around many of Wiltshire’s settlements to ensure these are up to date.

The Wiltshire Core Strategy, which was adopted after wide consultation, sets the framework for the draft housing site allocation plan. The draft plan was approved by council leaders at a cabinet meeting today (20 June) and it will now go out to public consultation in July.

Toby Sturgis, Wiltshire Council cabinet member for planning said, “All local planning authorities need to plan for their housing needs so we have sufficient homes for local communities now and into the future. The plan builds on the clear framework already provided by the Wiltshire Core Strategy for where development should take place. We’re asking people to send us feedback online or come along to the consultation events to share their views on the plan’s proposals.”

The draft plan will be made available for comment on the council’s website at the start of the public consultation period  from 14 July for 10 weeks. As part of the consultation there will be four public exhibitions from 12 noon to 7pm on: · 17 July – Chippenham Neeld Hall · 24 July –  Devizes Town Hall · 26 July –  Trowbridge, County Hall Atrium.

Once the consultation is complete the feedback will be considered by cabinet and full council before the draft plan is submitted to the Secretary of State for examination by an independent inspector. The inspector will consider the consultation response as part of the examination and issue their report indicating whether the plan can be adopted.