Update on the Withdrawal of the Local Plan Part 2

The Council has taken the decision to withdraw the Site Allocations and Development Management Policies Development Plan Document (also known as the Local Plan Part 2). This means that we will not be progressing this document.  The formal Withdrawal Notice is available to view on the Council’s website at http://www.rossendale.gov.uk/land .  The Report to Council explains why the Council has come to this decision.

Preparing a new Local Plan (2019-2034)

Instead of preparing the Site Allocations and Development Management Policies DPD the Council will embark on a review of the whole Local Plan and prepare a single document.  There will be 3 elements to the new Local Plan:

• Review of the policies set out in the adopted Core Strategy (2011), where appropriate, such as the development requirements
• Identifying sufficient land to meet these development needs (eg for housing, employment land etc)
• Draft Development Management policies to guide development.

Community Infrastructure Levy

In addition the Council is also looking to prepare a Community Infrastructure Levy (CIL) Charging Schedule, which will be developed alongside the Local Plan.  This is effectively a charge which is set by the Council to be paid by developers, based on floorspace.  The monies received by the Council will then be used to fund identified infrastructure improvements.

Timetable

The timetable for preparing these documents is set out in the Council’s Local Development Scheme which can be found at www.rossendale.gov.uk/localplan.   It is expected that Council will adopt the Local Plan and the CIL Charging Schedule in 2019.

Further information

A new webpage has been set up to provide further information on these documents and this can be viewed at www.rossendale.gov.uk/localplan.  We will keep this webpage updated.

What next?

The Council is reviewing its Evidence Base.  Some of the work already undertaken will be used in progressing the Local Plan (eg the Viability Study) but some of the studies will need to be reviewed, such as the Strategic Flood Risk Assessment, to reflect more up to date information.  The Evidence Base will be used to inform the preparation of the Local Plan.  It is anticipated that a consultation exercise will take place over the autumn and you will be notified and asked to take part.

The Call For Sites

To start the work on the Local Plan the Council is undertaking another Call for Development Sites exercise.  We are already aware of a number of sites from the work we undertook in preparing the now withdrawn Site Allocations and Development Management Policies DPD.  Nevertheless if you are aware of any land and/or buildings that could be used for development please let us know.  We are asking you to submit a form for each site, and also to attach a map so that we can identify the site.  The deadline for submitting sites is 5pm on Thursday 24^th March 2016.  The form is available to download here.

Consultation database

If you receive emails about the consultation and no longer wish to be contacted about the Local Plan please email forwardplanning@rossendalebc.gov.uk and asked to be removed from the database.

Core Strategy

The existing Adopted Core Strategy (2011) remains the Development Plan for Rossendale until it is superseded by the new Local Plan. The Core Strategy can be viewed at www.rossendale.gov.uk/corestrategy

We hope you find this helpful but if you have any specific queries please e-mail forwardplanning@rossendalebc.gov.uk.

Further information

• Update on the Local Plan Part 2