There is still time for residents and business to give their views on the future planning for Stafford Borough. 

The seven-week consultation on a new ‘Local Plan’ for the borough will come to an end next week (Monday 12 December).

The new ‘Local Plan’ will ensure development is regulated across the borough until 2040.

Hundreds of people have attended public exhibitions, a webinar and drop-in sessions since the launch of the consultation in October - and Stafford Borough Council also released a short video to encourage residents and business to give their feedback.

The ‘Local Plan,’ along with all the comments, is due to go before the Secretary of State in late 2023 who will then appoint an Independent Planning Inspector to set up a public examination to decide whether the plan is sound.

It is important to make progress on the ‘Local Plan’ so that policies are in place, and potential land for building is allocated to control future development in the borough.

You can see the video at https://bit.ly/SBCLPVIDEO and can comment on the ‘Local Plan - Preferred Options Report’ from Stafford Borough Local Plan 2020-2040 | Stafford Borough Council (staffordbc.gov.uk)

Councillor Frances Beatty, Cabinet Member for Economic Development and Planning, encouraged people to give their feedback as soon as possible: “This is a widespread consultation and we are very keen that as many people as possible are aware of what will be the blueprint for the whole of the borough for the next 20 years.

“It is very important we have an up to date, adopted plan so that everybody will know where can be developed, how much development will be allowed, and when this will happen.”

Since the current plan was adopted in 2014 significant changes in national planning guidelines have been introduced which have had an impact on the council’s local policies.

The consultation comes to an end on Monday 12 December and to see more go to Stafford Borough Local Plan 2020-2040 | Stafford Borough Council (staffordbc.gov.uk) 

Press Release No 5979