The Direction of Travel consultation, that took place between 23rd November 2020 and 18th January 2021, was the first stage in our Local Plan engagement process. It provided an opportunity for us to hear the views of our communities, partner organisations and stakeholders on a range of important topic areas as to how the district should address the issues and challenges that it faces, accommodate growth and to help us define a vision for our district.
We asked a series of questions as well as provided an opportunity for you to tell us what you think on a range of planning related themes such as climate change, infrastructure, housing, the economy and employment, town centres, tourism, the natural environment, landscape, heritage and cultural assets, design and health and wellbeing. We also provided a number of high-level growth options to comment on.
We received over 1,700 comments to the consultation from 304 respondents. We have now reviewed all comments that we received as part of the consultation and we have provided a consultation summary report.
Our next steps – we will be undertaking evidence gathering and further engagement to help inform and shape the new local plan. The timetable for the production of our local plan is set out in our Local Development Scheme. This sets out that we will undertake a statutory Regulation 18 consultation on a draft local plan (as currently projected) in spring 2022.