Draft Local Plan - have your say on development sites

Residents and businesses are being asked to share their views on the key planning document that will shape how Staffordshire Moorlands develops over the next 14 years.

At a Council Assembly meeting last night, members of Staffordshire Moorlands District Council agreed the Preferred Options Local Plan and a further period of public consultation.

The Local Plan sets out the vision for the district and allocates sites for housing, employment and other forms of development alongside policies which seek to protect and preserve open space, green infrastructure, historic heritage and environment assets.

Councillor Sybil Ralphs, Leader of Staffordshire Moorlands District Council, said: "The Local Plan is one of the most important documents produced by the Council because it guides development in the area up to 2031.

"We know from the previous consultations we have carried out that people across the Moorlands have a high level of interest in helping to determine future development. Comments we have received in previous consultations have influenced the Preferred Options plan which are now publishing.

"We're now asking people to take a look at this latest version to see what's proposed in their neighbourhood, and across the district, and to tell us what they think. This is an important step forward and I would urge people to get involved - even if you've commented previously the document has changed so we do need to hear from you again."

The full document will be available online at www.staffsmoorlands.gov.uk/localplan from the beginning of the consultation on Monday 31 July. Copies can also be viewed at Council one-stop-shops in Biddulph, Cheadle and Leek and at all libraries throughout the district.

Once the consultation goes live, the easiest way to make comments on the Plan will be online via the Council's website. Public IT equipment is available in the reception area at Moorlands House in Leek for anyone who doesn't have access to the internet.

Comments can also be made by email to forward.plans@staffsmoorlands.gov.uk or by completing a questionnaire and posting it to: Freepost RRLJ-XCTC-JBZK, Regeneration Manager, Staffordshire Moorlands District Council, Moorlands House, Stockwell Street, Leek, ST13 6HQ (no stamp required).

The consultation begins on Monday 31 July and the deadline for comments is 5pm on Friday 22 September.