29 June 2009
Play a part in shaping Wealden's future
Wealden District Council begins the biggest phase yet of its Local Development Framework process with the launch of the Shaping Wealden's Future consultation.
From Monday July 6 we will be asking all residents and businesses to give their views about a range of different options for new housing and enterprise to meet the District's expected needs over the next 20 years and give their vision of the future for the next generation. These options are put forward in a document called Core Strategy - Spatial Development Options.
The options - six for the possible distribution of housing and four for business development - take into account earlier consultation responses, the District's Sustainable Community Strategy and ideas and evidence put forward by other key service providers in the District. They also reflect recently adopted Government policy.
"This is a valuable opportunity to have your say about future development in Wealden," said Councillor Roy Galley, Cabinet member for Strategic Planning and Housing Delivery. "Your ideas have helped us draw up these options. Now we want to hear what you think about them.
"While as a Council, we disagree with the Government as to the final number of houses that may be built in Wealden, there is no argument about the demand for houses to suit a wide range of differing needs. Jobs and infrastructure to support the people who live here are also vitally important.
"It is only through careful planning, backed by local consensus, that we will be able to preserve the outstanding countryside of the Weald and the South Downs, and help its towns and village survive the challenges posed by globalisation and climate change," said Councillor Galley.
The Shaping Wealden's Future consultation will run from Monday 6 July to Friday 28 August. The consultation period has been extended to eight weeks to allow time for everyone who wants to take part to submit their comments. People are also being asked to consider the sustainability of the options being put forward in the document. A separate Sustainability Appraisal has been published.
"We need to test what social, environmental and economic effects these options will have in order to help arrive at a particular solution," said David Phillips, Head of Planning and Environmental Policy. "Consultation responses will help us draw up a Core Strategy which will guide future development in Wealden up to 2026."
The following Exhibition and Drop In sessions have been arranged to explain the consultation and answer questions from the public:
Crowborough - Council Offices,
Friday 17 July 2009, 5:30pm - 7:30pm
Saturday 18 July 2009, 10am - 1pm
Polegate - Community Centre,
Saturday 18 July 2009 10am - 1pm
Wadhurst - Commemoration Hall,
Wednesday 22 July 2009 5:30pm - 7:30pm
Uckfield - Civic Centre,
Saturday 25 July 2009 10am - 1pm
Heathfield - Youth Centre,
Saturday 25 July 2009 10am - 1pm
Forest Row - Community Centre,
Wednesday 29 July 2009 5:30pm - 7:30pm
Hailsham - Charles Hunt Centre, Vicarage Fields,
Friday 31 July 2009, 5:30pm - 7:30pm
Saturday 1 August 2009, 10am - 1pm
Members of the public can also visit the Council's website, to find out more about the Shaping Wealden's Future consultation, access the documents, and leave their comments.
