Amended sites consultation

This consultation is now closed.

Introduction

This consultation is about the Council’s proposed amendments to certain sites contained within the Bridgend Local Development Plan (LDP).

The LDP is a legal document which will set out the planning policies in the county borough up to 2021. It will be used to decide planning applications and to guide and promote development which is in the public interest. The policies in the plan identify land for different types of development – such as housing, employment, retailing, education and open space. The plan has the potential to have a direct effect on the lives of every resident of Bridgend County Borough, and has major implications for landowners and developers.

We would like your views on the limited changes which the Council are proposing to make to the LDP.

Background

The Council submitted the Bridgend Local Development Plan (LDP) to the Welsh Government in July 2012.

An independent Inspector is in the process of conducting an examination to determine whether the plan is sound. His preliminary findings have concluded that additional sites are required to meet the housing needs of the County Borough up to 2021. He also considers that certain notational allocations illustrated on the Plan’s Proposals Map by means of a symbol need definitive boundaries to be shown.

As part of the response to the Inspector’s preliminary findings, Bridgend County Borough Council has produced a consultation document which includes a schedule of those PLA3 Mixed Use Sites in the Plan which are proposed to be amended.

In addition, the document also shows how the Council proposes to illustrate the definitive boundaries of those sites in the Plan which are shown by means of a notational symbol in the submitted Plan. Site specific Sustainability Appraisals have also been prepared to reflect these changes.

In addition, the document also shows how the Council proposes to illustrate the definitive boundaries of those sites in the Plan which are shown by means of a notational symbol in the submitted Plan. Site specific Sustainability Appraisals have also been prepared to reflect these changes.

Revised Sustainability Appraisal (incorporating Strategic Environmental Assessment) and Habitats Regulations Assessment documents have been prepared to accompany the proposed changes including those Alternative Sites which the Council are now supporting to provide additional housing development (but are not subject to this consultation).

Consultation Methods

We want to know what you think about the proposed amendments to the LDP. There are a variety of ways you can see the consultation documentation and make comments.

The consultation period will run from 21st February 2013 to 9th April 2013 .

Where can I see the proposals in full?

The full documentation is available at the following locations:

• Online
• At any library in the County Borough.
• At the council’s Customer Service Centre in Civic Offices, Angel Street, Bridgend.

How can I give my views?

There are a number of ways you can give your views on the proposals:
Complete an online form, this facility enables you to upload supporting documents if required;
Download and complete a comments form, these will also be available at local libraries, or at the exhibitions and drop-in sessions:

• Email your comments directly to ldp@bridgend.gov.uk
• Fax your comments to 01656 643190
• Write to the Group Manager for Development, Bridgend County Borough Council, Civic Offices, Angel Street, Bridgend CF31 4WB
• Please note that all responses must be received by 5pm on Tuesday 9th April 2013.

What are the next steps?

Once the consultation period has ended, all comments will be passed to the examination Inspector. He will consider the comments made and decide if any additional Examination hearing sessions are required to discuss the issues raised in more detail to enable him to decide if the Plan as amended is ‘sound’ and to inform his report to the Council which is expected in the summer of 2013.