RESIDENTS can have their say on changes to Rugby’s housing blueprint next week.
A consultation on proposed changes to the Local Plan will start on Tuesday (August 14) – subject to approval by Rugby Borough Council’s (RBC) Cabinet the day before.
It will seek the views of residents, businesses, developers and parish councils on changes proposed during the public examination of the plan earlier this year.
In May, independent government planning inspector Mike Hayden said plans for the 1,500-home Lodge Farm Village near Grandborough and developments at Brinklow and Coton House should be removed to make the plan – which earmarks land for future housing and employment with accompanying infrastructure – legally compliant and sound.
The consultation will close on Friday October 5, allowing more than the statutory six week consultation period.
RBC growth and investment spokesman Coun Sebastian Lowe said: “Residents and other interested parties have had many opportunities to contribute to the Local Plan, including through the examination hearings held earlier this year.
“Depending on the inspector’s findings, this formal consultation period may be the last opportunity to influence the plan so it really is important that residents contribute their thoughts on the changes that have been proposed.”
He said modifications were normal at this stage of the process to reflect an inspector’s recommendations, adding that the number of changes were comparable to Nuneaton and Bedworth Borough Council which has recently approved consultation on changes to its plan.
He added: “I will be recommending that my colleagues on the council’s Cabinet accept the modifications and progress our corporate objective of adopting an up-to-date plan as soon as possible.”
The formal consultation will be on the proposed ‘main modifications’ to the plan and updated sustainability appraisal. Responses will be forwarded direct to the inspector.
Should the inspector find that the Local Plan can meet all of the legal tests, the plan will be considered by a meeting of the whole Council.
Visit www.rugby.gov.uk/localplan for more information.
