Rutland County Council has extended the deadline for its Local Plan Issues and Options consultation by two weeks. The consultation, which will help shape Rutland's new Local Plan, will now close on Friday the 30th of September 2022 to give Parish Councils more time to respond.

Following the death of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II, a number of Parish Councils have postponed monthly meetings that would have been used to finalise their response to the consultation. Therefore, Rutland County Council is extending the consultation deadline to enable all responses to be considered and submitted.

This extension will also apply to members of the public, who will be able to submit individual responses to the Issues & Options consultation until Friday the 30th of September.

 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 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

 Rutland residents 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.

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.