Consultation on the draft Plan ended in December 2006 and issues raised were then discussed at an eight week Examination in Public (EIP) held in Leicester and Lincoln before an independent panel chaired by Prof. Stephen Crow. This ended in July 2007.
The Panel’s report contains conclusions about the draft Plan and recommendations about what changes they suggest could be made. These recommendations have been made in response to the many representations that were sent in on the draft Plan and the discussions which took place at the EIP.
Proposed Changes – What Happens Next?
Comments on the Proposed Changes, the Sustainability Appraisal and Habitats Regulations Assessment can be made up to 17 October 2008. All representations duly made will then be carefully considered and taking these into account a final version of the Regional Plan will then be prepared by the Secretary of State. Any further changes resulting from this consideration will also be subject to further Sustainability Appraisal and Habitats Regulations Assessment.
The final version of the Regional Plan should be published around the end of the year and note that there will be no further consultation.
Next Review
A further review of the Regional Plan will then be launched by the Regional Assembly, firstly by the issue of a Project Plan which will be subject to public consultation. The issues which this will examine will include:
- Housing provision, testing the range set by the Government following advice from the National Housing and Planning Advice Unit and any later evidence, including the latest household projections;
- Affordable housing targets responding to updated information following the completion of Housing Market Assessments in all parts of the region;
- Housing provision in Northamptonshire;
- A review of sustainable locations for development in the Nottingham Core HMA and Hucknall;
- Consideration of the Gainsborough New Growth Point and any eco-town proposals for which the Government may indicate provisional acceptance;
- A revision of the Regional Transport Strategy;
- A revision of policies related to the Lincolnshire coastal area following the completion of the coastal strategy; and
- A review of renewable energy targets.
Any queries about the Proposed Changes or any other issue related to Regional Planning should be addressed to the Sustainable Communities Team here at the Government Office:
Tel: 0115 971 2663
email: regional-planningem@goem.gsi.gov.uk
