Residents urged to have say on Swindon Local Plan

Local people are being invited to share their views on proposed changes to Swindon’s Local Plan, which sets out how development can be accommodated in Swindon for the periodswindon up to 2036.

The consultation will run until 16 September, providing a last opportunity for local residents to influence the content of the Plan before it is submitted for independent examination.

The Council expect the revised Local Plan to help build communities and ensure that housing and associated infrastructure is delivered in a sustainable way, guarding against speculative development.

The Local Plan sets out the requirement for housing and employment land in the Borough, with an additional 21,600 homes predicted to be required to meet demand up to 2036.

Cllr Gary Sumner, Swindon Borough Council’s cabinet member for strategic infrastructure, transport and planning, said: ‘It is really important that local residents tell us what they think of the proposed updates to the Local Plan so we can take their views on board before it goes for independent examination. There is still three weeks before the consultation closes so if you have not had a chance to look at the revised Local Plan you still have time to make any comments or suggestions.

‘Alongside the online consultation I have also attended local drop-in sessions and it has been really positive listening to people and getting their thoughts on what they like and don’t like within the revised plan. If we get the Local Plan right, it will help us stave off speculative planning applications where residents do not want development, which makes this consultation all the more important.

‘It is also key that local people feed in their views on the Local Transport Plan as it has a really important role to play in Swindon’s future.’

Further information on the consultation and how to get involved can be found here.

In related news, Leeds City Council is encouraging residents and businesses to have their say on how to make inner city Leeds greener, as part of a consultation on climate change and planning.

Photo by Peter Albanese