Have your say on Wyre Forest District Council’s Local Plan Pre-Submission consultation

Wyre Forest District Council is re-opening the Local Plan Pre-Submission consultation from Monday 2 September to Monday 14 October to give people another chance to have their say.

The council wants to ensure that anyone interested in the Plan has the opportunity to comment on the proposals, but is keen to stress that if you commented previously you do not need to respond again unless you wish to change or add to previous comments.

The Local Plan identifies where development sites for homes and businesses will be and the services and infrastructure needed to support them. It outlines how the district council is planning for this generation and the next up until 2036.

Wyre Forest District Council has made a few amendments to the Pre-Submission version of the Plan which was consulted on at the end of 2018. This includes, changes to the transport infrastructure, removal of the site at Yew Tree Walk, Stourport-on-Severn and the inclusion of land adjacent to Blakedown Railway Station.

Councillor Fran Oborski, Deputy Leader and Cabinet Member for Economic Regeneration, Planning and Capital Investments said:

“It is really important that everyone gets to have their say on the Pre-Submission version of the Local Plan. It was evident from the results of the last consultation there were a number of concerns about the transport evidence underpinning the Plan. 

“Anyone who submitted comments last year can rest assured that those comments will still be considered and it is not necessary to repeat them. However, anyone who did not comment previously, or who wants to change or add to comments previously made, will have the opportunity to do so between Monday 2 September and Monday 14 October.”

Councillor Graham Ballinger, Leader of Wyre Forest District Council said:

“This is a vital stage in the production of our Local Plan. This version of the Plan recognises the importance of supporting Blakedown Station’s infrastructure so it can encourage people to use trains instead of cars. We have also listened to what residents of Stourport had to say about the allocation of land at Yew Tree Walk and agree that it would not be appropriate to bring forward this site for residential development.”

The Local Plan and details on how to comment are available from www.wyreforestdc.gov.uk/localplanreview.

The Local Plan can also be viewed at the libraries in Kidderminster, Stourport and Bewdley as well as Wyre Forest House and The Hub, Kidderminster.

Comments must be submitted using the council’s official form. This can be completed online or the form can be downloaded and emailed to LPR@wyreforestdc.gov.uk. Anyone without internet access can pick up a response form from The Hub, Kidderminster or Wyre Forest House.

People can also visit any of the drop-in sessions where Wyre Forest District Council staff will be available to answer questions. The sessions are taking place on:

Wednesday 11 September, 3pm – 6pm, Blakedown Parish Rooms

Wednesday 18 September, 3pm – 7pm, Corn Exchange, Kidderminster Town Hall

Thursday 19 September, 2pm – 4.30pm, Wribbenhall Parish Rooms, Bewdley

Saturday 28 September, 10am – 1pm, Stourport Civic Hall

The deadline for responses is 5pm on Monday 14 October 2019.