A draft version of Northumberland’s key planning document is out for consultation.
Northumberland County Council is seeking public views on the draft Core Strategy of the Local Plan, which will guide planning decisions in the area up to 2031.
The strategy proposes to increase housing supply, including the provision of ‘affordable housing’, to encourage economic growth and support jobs, while protecting the environment, culture and heritage of the county.
A series of drop-in events have been organised to view the document, discuss the proposals with planning officers and give feedback.
Council Policy Board Member for Housing, Planning and Regeneration Allan Hepple said: “We have considered all comments on previous versions of the strategy and there have been a lot of changes made to this draft plan, including to proposed housing numbers.
“We have also carried out a considerable amount of additional work to make sure that proposals are fully justified and meet national planning guidelines.”
Sessions will be held at Morpeth Town Hall on Saturday, from 10am to 2pm, Ponteland Leisure Centre on Wednesday, from 1pm to 7.30pm, St James’s Community Centre, Morpeth, on Thursday, January 29, from 2pm to 7.30pm, and Ponteland Memorial Hall on Saturday, January 31, from 10am to 3pm.
Consultation runs until Wednesday, February 11. It will be followed by consultation on a pre-submission version of the Core Strategy in the summer, before it is sent to the Government for examination, with final approval expected by summer 2016.
To view the document or make comments on the proposals visit www.northumberland.gov.uk/corestrategy