Council urges residents to express views as Local Plan reaches final consultation stage

This final technical consultation stage seeks to test the ‘soundness’ and the legal aspects of the Bassetlaw Local Plan, and the Council is now asking key stakeholders to consider elements such as if the Plan is the right overall strategy for the district.

The Bassetlaw Plan has been influenced and shaped by more than 2,000 responses collected from public consultations over the last five years, including events in January and June 2021, and events in 2020, 2019 and 2016.

This version, along with comments from stakeholders as part of this final consultation, will then be reviewed and submitted to the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government next year where the Council’s preferred Plan will be considered by an independent Inspector.

Councillor Jo White, Cabinet Member for Regeneration at Bassetlaw District Council, said: “The Council is required by Government to prepare a Local Plan for the Bassetlaw area and there is a timeline for this.

“Clear direction from Government also says that we must not delay the process, with likely repercussions if we do not meet deadlines,” Coun White added.

“This is one of the most important strategies that the Council produces; it influences many aspects of how the Bassetlaw area will change and grow in the years ahead – there will be new employment opportunities and new houses, but it will also seek to ensure that Bassetlaw remains the distinctive place that it is.”

Bassetlaw District Council have discussed with the public on five occasions, with communities stating they would like access to better paid jobs, good education and healthcare, quality housing, safe communities, good open spaces, an attractive natural environment and opportunities to enjoy the communities in which they live.

Coun White continued: “Preparing a local plan always involves difficult decisions – and the most contentious is usually around the scale and distribution of new growth.

“There is significant Government pressure to build more houses, and the Council is having to meet with those requirements, whilst ensuring the delivery of associated infrastructure and retaining the important character of our towns and rural settlements which residents, businesses and visitors very much value.”

As the Local Plan enters the next consultation period, the Council expresses the importance of residents voicing their views.

Coun White adds: “The Council considers its Local Plan to be legally compliant and ‘sound’ and it is very important that we hear your views on this key stage ahead of its submission to Government where it will be independently examined.”

Residents that wish to view the Publication Version of the Bassetlaw Local Plan, ahead of submitting comments, can visit www.bassetlaw.gov.uk/bassetlawplan . A guide for submitting comments can also be found online.

Hard copies of the Bassetlaw Local Plan and any key supporting documents at local libraries and town halls across the district, and the Council’s Planning Policy Team are also available by phone on: 01909 533 533.

This final consultation stage began on Thursday 2 September and will last for seven weeks, closing on Thursday 21 October 2021.

The Bassetlaw Local Plan includes priorities such as:

A mix of sites for at least 10,049 homes to be built in Bassetlaw by 2037

The allocation of land dedicated for future employment, which will help to create 9,735 new jobs and training opportunities for local residents

Supporting infrastructure that will bring road improvements, enhanced bus services, new cycle and walking paths, new open space and improved doctor’s surgeries and new schools

The creation of a new Garden Village

Two of the new developments in Worksop and Retford will encourage residents to lead healthy, active lifestyles through the creation of walking and cycle routes and open spaces

Initiatives that protect town centres and help them adapt to peoples’ changing behaviour and the effects of the Covid:19 pandemic

Help to manage the effects of climate change and enable the creation of green energy and low carbon technology sectors at the High Marnham Energy Hub