Local Plan for Staffordshire Moorlands moves a step closer

The Local Plan for the Staffordshire Moorlands looks set to be submitted to the Government in the summer.

Staffordshire Moorlands District Council has published its Submission Version of the document which sets out the strategy for the development of housing and employment in the district up to 2031.

Councillor Edwin Wain, cabinet member for planning, development and property, said: "This is another significant step in putting in place a Local Plan for the Staffordshire Moorlands - the key planning document which will shape how the district develops for the next generation.

"The Local Plan has already been subject to a great deal of public scrutiny, including three periods of public consultation, and we have received thousands of comments to date which have all been considered as we have developed the document to this Submission Version stage.

"The next stage is to invite formal comment on the soundness and legal compliance of the document with a view to submitting it to the Government in the summer."

The consultation will run from 27 February until 11 April during which stakeholders will be asked whether they believe the Plan meets the tests of soundness as set out in the National Planning Policy Framework and legal requirements.

From Tuesday 27 February the documents will be available online at www.staffsmoorlands.gov.uk/localplan and copies will also be available at Council one-stop-shops in Biddulph, Cheadle and Leek and at all libraries throughout the district.

The easiest way to comment will be online via the Council's website and, as the feedback being sought is very specific, guidance notes will also be published to assist those people giving feedback.

You will also be able to comment by email to forward.plans@staffsmoorlands.gov.uk or by post to: Freepost RRLJ-XCTC-JBZK, Regeneration Manager, Staffordshire Moorlands District Council, Moorlands House, Stockwell Street, Leek, ST13 6HQ (no stamp required).

If the Plan is submitted to the Government in June this year, the estimated timetable would see examination take place in the autumn of this year and the Plan formally adopted in Spring 2019.