Council wants your views on revised 'Core Strategy'

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

A final round of consultation has started this week on the ‘Core Strategy’. The Core Strategy is the Council's plan on how the borough should grow and develop up until 2028. It shows the scale of employment and housing land needed and identifies where regeneration and environmental improvements should be focused. It also looks at what transport and other services are needed to support growth and development.

This version of the Core Strategy, called the Publication Core Strategy, is the one that the Council intends to submit to the Government.

The original ‘Core Strategy’ was submitted to the Government in 2011, but the Council was forced to withdraw it 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.

http://www.rochdaleonline.co.uk/news-features/2/news/68636/core-strategy-planning-document-to-be-withdrawn

The council says the main change in the revised Core Strategy is the removal of the proposal to build homes on land at Broad Lane, Rochdale from the Core Strategy. This decision was made by the Council Cabinet as a result of comments on the Draft Core Strategy. The proposal at Broad Lane will be dealt with at a separate appeal inquiry following the refusal of planning application on the site last year.

The Council has published the Core Strategy in line with legal requirements, so that anyone can support or object to the plan.

The Publication Core Strategy and supporting documents are available online, from your local library, council customer service centre, or in person at the Planning Reception, Floor 1, Telegraph House, Baillie Street, Rochdale.

http://consultations.rochdale.gov.uk/strategic-planning/rochdale_publication_core_strategy_january_2013/consult_view

You need to have your say by 5pm on 8 March 2013.

After the consultation, the council will submit the Core Strategy, and its supporting documents, to government along with the comments received.