The independent Inspector appointed to examine the Spelthorne Local Plan, Jameson Bridgwater PGDipTP MRTPI, has been reading through the Plan, all the evidence that supports it and the representations received from members of the public and other stakeholders.
With the examination well underway, Mr Bridgwater is now able to prepare for the public hearing sessions that also form an integral part of examining the Local Plan.
The sessions will be held in person in the Council Chamber, with arrangements in place for virtual participation where required. Those who made representations will have the opportunity to appear at the hearings and speak directly to the Inspector. The Programme Officer will be in touch with those parties in due course. The Inspector will produce a schedule for which topics will be discussed at each hearing sessions, which will be published on the examination website.
The dates for the hearings are as follows, starting at 10am each day:
•
Tuesday the 23rd of May and run until Thursday the 25th of May 2023
•
Tuesday the 13th of June and run until Thursday the 15th of June 2023
• Tuesday the 20th of June and run until Thursday the 22nd of June 2023
Spelthorne Borough Council says this is “yet another positive step forward to get the Local Plan adopted without further delay as it has already taken over six years to reach this stage. Having an out-of-date Local Plan and without a five-year supply of housing has counted against Spelthorne at appeal on developments the Council has refused.
There are also other significant benefits the Local Plan will deliver, including family homes with gardens, affordable housing, local infrastructure, sports and recreation enhancements, a new sixth form college and a new community centre for Ashford. Importantly, it will greatly strengthen our defence against predatory development on crucial Green Belt sites as well as offering much greater protection for many of our smaller urban open spaces. Once the Plan is in place, the Strategic Planning team can then focus on other essential projects such as design codes, further transport work in Staines and enhancing our local green areas and infrastructure.”
Councillor Ian Beardsmore,
Chair of Environment & Sustainability Committee, said “We welcome the news
that the Inspector is keen to progress with the public hearings. The
clear majority of residents support the benefits of what the plan will deliver
and achieve and want it to progress without further delay. Our Local Plan will
bring many benefits and protections to Spelthorne and we look forward to having
it adopted so we can move to the ‘delivery phase’ of the Plan.”