Out-Law News 1 min. read
16 Aug 2012, 2:27 pm
The Council withdrew its draft Core Strategy in April following concerns raised by the Inspector that there was insufficient evidence to show that the "exceptional circumstances" required to release land from the green belt had been demonstrated.
The Council has proposed that the 55 hectares in South Heywood be released from the green belt to allow for the development of 520 new homes and employment space.
The revised draft Core Strategy, which sets out how the Borough should be developed until 2028, also removed proposals for a new link road to junction 19 of the M62, which the Inspector had queried. The link road was planned to support employment development and stop traffic short-cutting through Heywood.
The revised strategy shows the scale of employment and housing land needed and identifies where regeneration and environmental improvements should be focused, the Council said. It also looks at what transport and other services are needed to support growth and development.
“This revised strategy reflects the feedback received, but in many areas, including the Spatial Strategy, it remains broadly the same," said Councillor Terry Linden, cabinet member for regulatory services and housing. "There was general support for most elements of it. We now want to give people a chance to let us know what they think.
"The basic thrust of the council’s development plan will remain as it is … most new development will be focused in the south of the borough and employment sites will need to be well served by motorways and public transport,” he said.
This original proposal related to green belt land in South Heywood has been replaced with a "criteria based" policy to identify land for employment development later in the plan period. The other main changes reflect the recently published National Planning Policy Framework and general updating of background papers and evidence.
The Council plans to publish a final version of the Core Strategy later this year, following the consultation. It will then re-submit the Strategy for examination.
