Still time to participate in Wiltshire Core Strategy consultation

There is still time for people to participate in a consultation on proposed modifications to a plan which sets out how Wiltshire will grow and develop over the coming years.

Last summer the Wiltshire Core Strategy, which has been developed with communities over the last five years, was scrutinised at public hearing sessions as part of its examination by an independent government inspector.

As a result, the council and the inspector have put forward modifications to some aspects of the plan and local people, businesses and organisations are being asked to comment on the proposed modifications and other matters, full details of which are available to view at www.wiltshire.gov.uk/wiltshirecore strategyexamination. The consultation runs until Tuesday 27th May.

The proposed changes include the inspector’s modifications to the standalone renewable energy installations policy in relation to wind turbines and the removal of the saved eastern Westbury bypass policy.

The inspector also proposed increasing the housing numbers in the draft Wiltshire Core Strategy from 37,000 to 42,000. In distributing the additional new homes, the council has sought to maintain the distribution of growth within the Core Strategy, which has previously been widely consulted on and officers have assessed and identified which areas could accommodate and also deliver extra housing. The proposal for where these extra homes will be delivered are included as proposed modifications to the Wiltshire Core Strategy and forms part of the consultation.

Toby Sturgis cabinet member for spatial planning said, “I would encourage those who haven’t already, to get involved, as it’s community engagement that continues to shape and inform this incredibly important strategy

“Our vision is to create stronger and more resilient communities and by ensuring we have a robust development plan in place to manage growth – both in terms of housing and economic development – we can achieve this. We would like to thank everyone who has responded so far.”