Addressing Common Concerns About The Local Plan Update.pdf

We are protecting the countryside by updating the local plan to direct where development is acceptable. Without an up-to-date plan, developers would apply to build everywhere and central government would likely approve the applications. The demand for housing in our area is strong due to its desirability and lack of constraints such as Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty, Greenbelt, and Crown estate land. We are ensuring that when we lose open farmland to large-scale developments, we get some public open space along with the development. Our four strategic developments will result in about 290 hectares of new public open space, play areas, and parks.

We are building new houses to accommodate the needs of the next generation and to keep our towns and villages healthy and viable as communities. The new houses will be where you, your children, and their children will call home. We will only continue to attract and keep international businesses if we have enough great homes for their staff, accompanied by great infrastructure.

According to national policy, there is a lot of land in the Borough that has the potential for development. If we don't plan for enough housing to meet our housing need, our plan won't be approved and we will be vulnerable to unplanned development. We estimate that we'll need to plan for about 850 new homes per year to roll the plan forward from its current end date of 2026 to the new end date of 2036.

We can't use money from the new housing to make things better for existing residents, as the money must be spent to support the development of the area rather than remedy existing problems or deficiencies. However, money from the new housing pays for or contributes to a range of projects that benefit existing residents as well as the new residents. Money from the new houses is substantial and has contributed to or paid for various projects such as play parks, sports facilities, and road improvements that benefit existing residents.