A SIX-WEEK public consultation has started on a key planning document that will shape the future development of South Worcestershire.
The revised South Worcestershire Development plan allocates land for 13,240 additional new homes and 290.7 hectares of employment land to be delivered by 2041.
This will help meet the Government requirement to allocate land to build 26,360 new homes and 350.5 hectares of employment land across South Worcestershire from 2021 to 2041.
Not all sites in the Plan are new, with some being carried over from the last version of the SWDP and sites that already have planning permission being taken into account.
The majority of the new housing will be met through strategic growth sites at Worcestershire Parkway, Throckmorton, Rushwick and Mitton.
The public are being asked to comment on whether they consider the review of the South Worcestershire Development Plan is sound and legally compliant. To be considered sound the plan must have been positively prepared, based on robust, credible evidence, show a clear deliverable vision and be consistent with national planning policies.
On top of this the three South Worcestershire Councils – Worcester City, Malvern Hills District and Wychavon District Councils – must also show they have complied with planning legislation including the legal duty to help neighbouring councils meet their strategic housing needs.
Comments can be made until 11.59pm on Tuesday, December 13. Only comments made during the consultation can be considered.
Visit www.swdevelopmentplan.org/review for more. Paper copies are also available from Customer Contact Centres, local libraries and some parish and town council offices.
It is expected the plan will be formally adopted by the South Worcestershire Councils in late 2023.
