Time running out for comments on Rotherham development plans

THE deadline for comments on plans for the future shape of Rotherham is looming.

The current round of consultation on the long-term development plan for the town ends on September 16 and Rotherham Borough Council is urging members of the public to view the information and submit their comments before then.

The Draft Core Strategy comprising the overall plan, and the Sites and Policies Issues and Options —which suggests sites for housing, employment, retail provision and other uses —are available online and also at libraries, customer service centres and each parish councils across the borough.

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The council says that the documents have changed considerably since the last consultation in 2009 as a result of comments made by the public and also because of changes in government policy.

Rotherham Council is currently proposing significant reductions to its housing target and to the amount of employment land required and the amount of Green Belt that would need to be released as a result.

The annual housing target has been reduced by 27 per cent to 850 new homes per year with a new target of 12,750 new homes across the borough to be built between 2012 and 2027. The figure previously considered was 24,482 new homes.

The employment land target has been reduced by 30 per cent, with around 230 hectares being proposed for new economic development and a further five hectares for new office floorspace. 

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During the consultation period 20 events have been held across the Borough where staff have been available to answer queries about the documents. These have been attended by approximately 1500 people

Karl Battersby, Strategic Director for Environment and Development Services for Rotherham Borough Council, urged people who have not yet responded, to make their views known.

He said: "I am keen to see that our plans for the Borough are clearly debated so that we ensure the best results for Rotherham as a whole.

“We all need to work together to create a Local Development Framework that matches the needs of people and businesses in the future.

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“And this is not the end of the process. We will be going back out next year to the public to discuss the individual sites in more detail.”

Comments can be made using the online consultation system at www.rotherham.gov.uk/forwardplanning or in writing. They should  be received by 5pm on Friday, September 16, at RMBC, Forward Planning, Planning and Regeneration Service, Bailey House, Rawmarsh Road, ROTHERHAM  S60 1TD.

 

The documents are also available for inspection at the following venues during office hours:

  • Bailey House, Rawmarsh Road, Rotherham.
  • Customer Service Centre, Civic Building, Walker Place, Rotherham.
  • Customer Service Centre, Station Street, Swinton.
  • Customer Service Centre, New Street, Dinnington.
  • Customer Service Centre, Braithwell Road, Maltby.
  • All libraries in the Borough (normal opening times).