There is still time for residents and businesses of Rutland to get involved in the important first stage of the Local Plan process and have their say on the future of the area by taking part in Rutland County Council's Issues and Options consultation.

Every Planning Authority must have a Local Plan that sets out what can be built and where building should take place over a period of at least 15 years. The Issues and Options consultation outlines 12 key issues to be addressed in the Local Plan, such as determining the appropriate level and location of housing growth and outlining options for funding infrastructure improvements.

The document then gives residents and businesses the opportunity to share their own voice on how these issues could be addressed. Responses will be collated and reviewed alongside detailed evidence and analysis of the same key issues to create a draft Local Plan, which will be subject to further public consultation.

The Issues and Options document gives an overview of the 12 key issues which need to be addressed in the new Local Plan. The consultation also sets out questions around the possible options for addressing each issue. The Issues and Options consultation does not identify new sites for housing, employment and other developments. This will be included in the next consultation stage in summer 2023, called Regulation 18.

The 12 key topics that will be explored through the Issues and Options consultation are:

1.        Tackling the climate crisis

2.        Determining the appropriate level and location of growth

3.        Meeting identified current and future housing needs

4.        Enabling a prosperous and resilient economy, linked to levels of housing growth

5.        Supporting vibrant town centres and a network of local centres to serve local retail and service needs

6.        Enabling safer and stronger communities, supported with viable and accessible community and cultural facilities

7.        Promoting sustainable and active modes of travel

8.        Ensuring new development is well designed to encourage active and healthy lifestyles and address health inequalities

9.        Conserving and enhancing Rutland's historic assets

10.    Protecting and enhancing the county's biodiversity, wildlife habitats, green and blue infrastructure, and open spaces

11.    Addressing minerals and waste requirements alongside environmental considerations

12.    Ensuring development is supported by essential infrastructure and services

The Issues and Options consultation opened on Thursday the 30th of June 2022 and will close on Friday the 16th of September 2022. This is the first of three consultations that will take place as part of the process to develop Rutland's new Local Plan before it goes to the government's planning inspectorate for independent examination in 2024.

You can view all the information and give your feedback online.

Information is also being made available at public libraries and can be provided in print and accessible formats on request by emailing [email protected] or calling 01572 722 577.

Councillor Lucy Stephenson, Leader of Rutland County Council, said: "We are extremely pleased to see people already getting involved in the consultation process, and we would encourage everyone to have their say on these important issues. Once complete, the Local Plan will not only set out the strategy for the amount, location and design of new development but will also allow us to progress our ambitions around climate change, meeting affordable housing needs, supporting jobs and promoting biodiversity. This really does help shape the future of Rutland and therefore it is vital that we hear the voice of residents and businesses views during the process.'

If you have any questions about the Issues and Options consultation, you can find out more by visiting the Rutland County Council website or emailing [email protected].

Anyone without internet access can call Rutland County Council on: 01572 755 577 and ask to speak to member of the Council's Planning Policy Team.