West Berkshire Local Development Framework

West Berkshire Local Development Framework

Publication of the Post Submission Schedule of Proposed Focused Changes to the West Berkshire Core Strategy from 3^rd September - 15^th October 2010

West Berkshire Council submitted its Core Strategy and accompanying Proposals Maps as part of its Local Development Framework (LDF) to the Secretary of State on 9^th July 2010.  The Core Strategy is the lead document within the LDF and sets out the Council’s vision, objectives and spatial planning strategy for the District.  When adopted it will be a development plan document (DPD) and will be the basis for all subsequent documents produced as part of the Local Development Framework. 

The Council is now publishing a Schedule of Proposed Focused Changes to the submitted Core Strategy. The Proposed Focused Changes add more detail to the Core Strategy but they do not make any fundamental changes to it.  The Changes are being published for consultation from Friday 3^rd September 2010 until Friday 15^th October 2010.

The Schedule of Proposed Focused Changes and addendum to the Core Strategy Sustainability Appraisal that considers the Proposed Focused Changes are available to view online on the Council’s website at: www.westberks.gov.uk/ldf.   They are also available to view as hard copies at the Council Offices in Market Street, Newbury and in all public libraries across the District. 

We are now inviting you to submit representations in relation to the ‘legal compliance’ and ‘soundness’ of the Proposed Focused Changes, but not the submitted Core Strategy itself.  We encourage you to submit your comments online www.westberks.gov.uk/ldf  by following the links to our consultation portal.   Alternatively you can complete a representation form which is available electronically on our website, in hard copy at the Council Offices in Market Street, Newbury and in all libraries across the District, or by contacting the Planning Policy Team on 01635 519111 and either e-mail, post or fax it to us.  You have six weeks in which to make your views known – we will need your comments to be returned no later than Friday 15^th October 2010.

The representations we receive during the consultation period will be considered alongside the submitted Core Strategy by Mr Simon Emerson, the independent Planning Inspector appointed to conduct the Examination into the compliance and soundness of the Core Strategy.  Please note that if you made representations when the Core Strategy was published in February/March 2010 that these have been retained and will be considered by the Inspector as part of the Examination, so there is no need to repeat previous representations.

The examination hearing sessions are scheduled to start on 2^nd November 2010 at Shaw House, Church Road in Newbury.

If you require any further information please do not hesitate to contact a member of the Planning Policy team.

Regards

Planning Policy Team

01635 519111

planningpolicy@westberks.gov.uk

www.westberks.gov.uk/ldf