Shaping the borough’s future

Councillor Dale Mulgrew says the borough faces many challenges in the years ahead

There’s still time to have your say on major plans to develop the borough of Rochdale over the next 15 years.

The ‘Core Strategy’ is the councils plan on how the borough should grow and develop over the next 15 years. It shows the scale of employment and housing land needed, and identifies where regeneration should be focused (e.g. town centres) and which areas should be improved. It also looks at what transport and other services are needed to support growth and development.

Cabinet Member for Development, Councillor Dale Mulgrew said the borough faces many challenges in the years ahead: “We need to build the new homes, offices, shops, leisure facilities and other forms of development that we need, whilst safeguarding our valuable green spaces and other environmental assets. There are also some big opportunities for new investmwww.rochdale.gov.uk/yourviews ent and we must plan and deliver them to best effect, so it’s important that local people have a look and have their say on the plans.”

The plan will affect the borough’s residents businesses and visitors, as it will be the major factor in determining whether planning permission should be granted on development proposals.

The council has already consulted on various options during two formal stages involving public meetings around the borough. They have now published the Core Strategy in line with legal requirements, so that anyone can support or object to the plan.

A draft of the Core Strategy and supporting documents are available from local libraries, any council customer service centre, online at www.rochdale.gov.uk/yourviews or in person at the Planning Reception, Floor 1, Telegraph House, Baillie Street, Rochdale.

If you want to have you say, the deadline is 23 December 2010.

After the consultation, the council will submit the core strategy to government along with the comments received. The government will then appoint an independent Planning Inspector to consider the Core Strategy and the comments received.

“We really do want to know whether people support the plan, or have any objections. If you have any questions, or need helping providing your feedback just phone us on 01706 924376,” added Councillor Mulgrew.