CONSULTATION has now started on Warrington’s Draft Local Plan for the homes, jobs, transport infrastructure and community facilities it needs over the next 20 years.
Local people are being invited to have their say on Warrington’s draft Local Plan, by taking part in the nine-week public consultation, which runs until Monday 17 June.
The Plan, which was recently approved by the council’s controlling Labour group, despite a public outcry over concerns over the loss of Green Belt, aims to deliver 18,900 new homes (945 per year), until 2037. It also aims to support Warrington’s ongoing economic growth by making 362 hectares of employment land available.
Running alongside the draft Local Plan consultation is a nine-week consultation on Warrington’s draft fourth Local Transport Plan (LTP4). The Council is keen for residents and stakeholders to have the opportunity to shape the plan, which aims to transform how people travel around Warrington, and make the borough a well-connected place with high quality walking, cycling, and public transport networks.
The joint consultation period is giving people in Warrington the opportunity to share their views on both plans, by completing the online response forms at:
Draft Local Plan – warrington.gov.uk/local plan
Draft LTP4 – warrington.gov.uk/LTP4
People can also get involved by attending one of the six draft Local Plan/draft LTP4 consultation events being held at the south stand concourse of the Halliwell Jones Stadium, Mike Gregory Way, WA2 7NE, on the following dates:
• Wednesday 8 May – (2pm until 8pm)
• Tuesday 14 May – (2pm until 8pm)
• Thursday 16 May – (2pm until 8pm)
• Monday 20 May – (2pm until 8pm)
• Wednesday 22 May – (2pm until 8pm)
• Saturday 8 June – (11am until 4pm)
Warrington businesses are also being invited to attend a draft Local Plan/draft LTP4 consultation event on Thursday 2 May in the Event Space at The Base, Dallam Lane, WA2 7NG:
· 8am for 8.30 am start, finishing at 11am
· 4.30pm for 5pm start, finishing at 7.30pm
Please note, this event is only open to businesses.
The previous consultation, on Warrington’s Local Plan ‘Preferred Development Option’, held in 2017, asked for the public’s views on the level of growth needed and locations for new development.
This is the next stage of formal consultation process for the Local Plan, with specific questions on whether the Plan is ‘legal’, ‘sound’ and whether the Council has fulfilled its ‘duty to cooperate’. These are the key issues that the independent planning inspector, appointed by the Government, will consider when assessing Warrington’s Local Plan.
You can get a range of support on completing the draft Local Plan online form, as well as information and guidance about ‘the legal requirements’, the ‘duty to cooperate’, and the ‘tests of soundness’ at warrington.gov.uk/localplan.
The final decision on the Local Plan and the development it proposes will be made by the independent planning inspector, following an examination, likely to be held in early 2020.
Following feedback on the Draft LTP4, a revised, final LTP4 will be put before the Council for approval either later this year or early in 2020.
