Forest of Dean District Council has approved the plan which will be the blueprint from which land in the district will be developed or protected.
The Allocations Plan Publication Draft has now been supported by the District Council and approved for publication and, doctor in due course, store submission to the Secretary of State, pharmacy providing there is no need for major changes arising after publication.
It will be open for comment for eight weeks from 25 March until 20 May at 12 noon with the views received, together with the council’s response to them and the plan itself, then submitted to the Secretary of State for examination.
The plan must allocate land sufficient for the current needs of the district. Without a full and up-to-date development plan in place the council is vulnerable to planning applications and appeals that may be decided on the general principles of the National Planning Policy Framework.
Cllr Brian Robinson, cabinet member for Planning Policy and Finance said: “The Allocations Plan is the building block in our local plan and builds on our Core Strategy. It is a vitally important document that will help make sure development in the Forest of Dean takes place where local communities want it.
“It provides for sufficient housing and employment land to meet the needs of future growth while protecting those areas where further development is not required.
“Every councillor has been involved in the development of the plan in one way or another, by contributing to the Portfolio Support Group discussions, representing views of the public and parish or explaining the process to local people. So far we have consulted with the community twice and it will soon go out for a final round of consultation.”