Residents across Erewash are being invited to have their say as the council launches the first public consultation on its new Local Plan.
The consultation follows a decision by councillors at an Extraordinary Council meeting on 17 June to begin preparing a new plan that will guide future development across the borough.
Local Plans are used to shape planning policies and help determine where new housing, employment land, infrastructure and other forms of development should be located. They are also used when considering planning applications.
The new Local Plan will replace Erewash’s current Core Strategy, which was adopted in 2014.
First Stage Of A New Process
The consultation marks the beginning of a process expected to take around 30 months to complete.
Known as a Scoping Consultation, it is designed to gather views from residents, businesses, landowners and community groups before detailed policies are prepared.
At this stage, the council is seeking feedback on the issues the new Local Plan should address rather than asking for comments on specific development sites.
Topics highlighted by the council include:
- Housing needs and affordability
- Roads, transport and infrastructure
- Schools, healthcare and community facilities
- Climate and environmental issues
- Employment and economic growth
- Town centres and regeneration
- The future of Green Belt land
Councillor Curtis Howard, Erewash Borough Council’s Lead Member for Regeneration and Planning, said:
“This scoping consultation is a brand new way for us to engage with local people. It’s coming right at the start of the three year plan-making process.
“What we want to know is what people think and feel about the biggest matters that come alongside building new homes – what infrastructure we need, affordability, environmental considerations, and the future of our greenbelt.
“The government has recently taken planning powers away from a number of councils for failing to have up-do-date local plans, and we’ve not had one since 2019.
“I don’t want decisions about what homes get built where in Erewash being made by London civil servants, I want them to be made here locally.
“So for the first time, this process is starting with you. Want your voice heard? Please, take part in our consultation.”
Background
The launch of the consultation follows the withdrawal of Erewash’s previous Core Strategy Review earlier this year.
In January, councillors agreed to withdraw the review following recommendations from the Planning Inspector and begin work on a new Local Plan under the Government’s updated planning framework.
The council’s published timetable shows further consultation stages taking place over the next few years, with adoption of the new Local Plan currently targeted for 2029.
While the new plan is being prepared, planning applications will continue to be considered under existing planning policies and national planning guidance.
How To Take Part
The consultation is now open.
Residents can take part online through the council’s consultation portal.
Hard copies of the consultation notice can also be viewed at:
- Ilkeston Town Hall
- Ilkeston Library
- Long Eaton Town Hall
- Long Eaton Library
- Borrowash Library
- Sandiacre Library
Further information can be found on the council’s New Local Plan webpage.
Useful Links
New Local Plan:
https://www.erewash.gov.uk/planning/new-local-plan
Consultation Portal:
https://letstalk.erewash.gov.uk/
Local Plan Timetable:
https://www.erewash.gov.uk/planning/new-local-plan/local-plan-timetable