Rutland's Local Plan has been submitted to the Secretary of State, for independent examination.

The Local Plan sets out planning policies for the Rutland area, as well as listing sites for additional housing, employment and other development for the period 2018 to 2036.

Regulation 19 Consultation inviting residents, businesses and other stakeholders to comment on the soundness of the Local Plan took place between August and November last year.

Responses submitted as part of the Regulation 19 Consultation, together with the Local Plan and all supporting documents, were submitted to the Secretary of State on Wednesday 3 February 2021.

The Secretary of State will appoint an independent Planning Inspectorate, who will conduct an independent review of the plan and all of the representations received, to determine whether the plan is sound. This is called an Examination in Public.

The Council will be advised of the timetable for the public examination after the independent Planning Inspector has been appointed.

Coun Gordon Brown, Cabinet Member for Planning, said: "The Local Plan is a very important document and will guide the development of new homes for families and employment space for businesses, for the next 15 years.

"If it is found to be sound by the Secretary of State's independent Planning Inspectorate, the final Local Plan, together with any modifications proposed by the Inspector, will be considered for adoption by Rutland's Full Council. The date for this meeting is not expected to be before the latter part of 2021."

For more information about the Local Plan process in Rutland, including details of the submission made to the Secretary of State, visit: www.rutland.gov.uk/localplanreview or email: [email protected].