Cabinet to consider adoption of the Telford and Wrekin Local Plan
Next week, Telford & Wrekin Council's Cabinet will be asked to approve the Telford and Wrekin Local Plan 2041 and the modifications recommended by the Government's independent Planning Inspectors, as the Council takes the next step towards adopting the new Plan.
At the meeting on Thursday 12 November, Cabinet will consider the Inspectors' final report, which concluded the Local Plan is sound subject to a number of recommended modifications. Cabinet will be asked to recommend that Full Council adopts the Plan later this month.
The new Local Plan will replace the existing 2011-2031 plan and provide the framework for managing growth and development across the Borough through to 2041. It sets out where new homes, jobs and infrastructure should be located, while protecting green spaces, supporting nature recovery and enhancing biodiversity. A sound Local Plan provides clarity for communities, developers and strategic partners including the NHS, helping to ensure future development takes place in the right locations and reducing the risk of inappropriate speculative development proposals.
The Planning Inspectors' report was published in October marking the completion of the Local Plan examination process, which included public hearings and consultations on proposed main modifications. The Inspectors concluded that, with the recommended modifications, the Plan satisfies the relevant legal requirements and provides an appropriate basis for the future planning of the Borough.
Councillor Carolyn Healy, Deputy Leader and Cabinet Member for Neighbourhoods, Planning and Sustainability, said:
"Reaching this stage marks another important milestone in the Local Plan process. Cabinet will now consider the Planning Inspectors' report and their recommended modifications before deciding whether to recommend the Plan for adoption by Full Council.
"The Local Plan will provide a clear framework for how the Borough meets the housing and employment needs of our communities over the next 20 years. In addition to helping to deliver homes and jobs, the plan will secure the infrastructure to support development while protecting and enhancing our natural environment. The Plan strengthens our approach to biodiversity, supports the protection of green spaces and gives greater certainty that growth can be delivered in a sustainable way that benefits both current and future generations."
Subject to Cabinet's recommendation, the Local Plan will be considered by Full Council at their meeting on Thursday 26 November. If adopted, it will form part of the statutory Development Plan for the Borough and be used to guide future planning decisions.