Wiltshire Local Plan scoping consultation to begin next month

Wiltshire Council will launch the first consultation in the new Wiltshire Local Plan process next month, giving residents, businesses and stakeholders an early opportunity to help shape the future of the county, including in Salisbury on Tuesday, 8th September.

The Local Plan will guide where homes, jobs and infrastructure are provided across Wiltshire in the years ahead, helping to ensure future growth takes place in the right locations and is supported by the services and facilities communities need. It will need to plan for significant future growth, with current Government policy requiring Wiltshire to provide around 3,500 new homes per year; and address the supply of minerals and provision of waste management facilities.

The first formal stage of public engagement, known as the scoping consultation, will run from 2-30 September. The consultation will seek views on what the new Local Plan should contain and how people would like to be involved as it is developed.

During the consultation there will be a series of public engagement events, for people to attend to find out more and share their views, as well as a public webinar.

The events are as follows:

• Chippenham Market, Friday 4 September, 8.30am-4pm
• Salisbury Market, Tuesday 8 September, 8.30am-3pm
• Royal Wootton Bassett Library, Wednesday 9 September, 2pm-7pm
• Devizes Market, Thursday 10 September, 9am-3pm
• Trowbridge, The Shires, Tuesday 15 September, 10am-3pm
• Public webinar, Thursday 17 September, 6-7pm.

The council will share more information about these events before the start of the consultation.

Cllr Ian Thorn, Leader of Wiltshire Council and Cabinet Member for Strategic Planning, said: “The Wiltshire Local Plan will play a vital role in shaping the future of our county, helping us to plan for new homes, jobs and infrastructure while protecting and enhancing the things that make Wiltshire such a special place to live and work. It will also focus on the supply of minerals and waste management facilities.

“We know there are important conversations to have about how Wiltshire should grow in the future, and we want our communities to be at the very heart of that process.

“While change can feel challenging, well-planned development can also bring new opportunities, investment and facilities for communities, which is why local feedback is so important in helping make that growth the best it can be.

“The scoping consultation in September will be the first opportunity for residents, businesses and stakeholders to share their views and help shape the direction of the plan.

“Supporting thriving communities is a key part of Our Wiltshire Plan, and the new Local Plan will help ensure growth is planned in a way that delivers the homes, jobs, services and infrastructure Wiltshire needs for the future.”

The Local Plan process will officially begin on 30 October, when the Government’s 30-month timeline to complete the plan will start.

To find out more, visit: www.wiltshire.gov.uk/local-plan