Feedback wanted on borough’s revised 15 year plan

The Core Strategy sets out major plans for the borough for the next 15 years

Rochdale Borough Council wants your views on major plans to develop the borough over the next 15 years.

Public consultation has started on a revised ‘Core Strategy,’ the council’s plan on how the borough should grow and develop up until 2028. 

The original ‘Core Strategy’ was submitted to the Government last year, but  was withdrawn because of inspector Patrick Whitehead’s concerns about its soundness. The inspector questioned the proposal to release around 50-55 hectares of green belt land in South Heywood for employment development and 520 homes.

He also raised concerns about plans for a new link road to junction 19 of the M62 to support employment development and stop traffic short-cutting through Heywood.

Councillor Terry Linden, Cabinet Member for Regulatory Services and Housing, said the plan had been updated and the original proposal to release Green Belt land for development in South Heywood removed: “This original proposal related to green belt land in South Heywood has been replaced with a criteria based policy to identify land for employment development later in the plan period. The other main changes reflect the recently published National Planning Policy Framework and general updating of background and evidence.

The Core Strategy is produced 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 online at www.rochdale.gov.uk/yourviews from local libraries, any council customer service centre, or in person at the Planning Reception, Floor 1, Telegraph House, Baillie Street, Rochdale.

If you would like to have your say, the deadline is 24 September 2012.

After the consultation, the council will then produce a final version for consultation later in the year before submitting the core strategy to the Government along with the comments received.

Councillor Linden added: “We want to give all residents, businesses, land owners and developers the opportunity to comment on the revised strategy before it is submitted for examination. If you have any questions or need help providing your feedback just phone us on 01706 924373.”

You can also find out more and ask any questions you have on the plans in person at Township Committee Meetings held in Heywood, Rochdale, Wardle and Middleton, week commending 10 September.