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Local Development Plan Preferred Strategy

The Council is consulting on the Preferred Strategy documents for the Torfaen Local Development Plan (to 2021). Consultation on the strategy will run for six weeks from 28th January 2008 to 10th March 2008. This consultation is an important stage in the preparation of the plan and offers everyone with an interest in the future development of Torfaen an opportunity to influence the plan before the Council finalises its proposals.

 

The Torfaen Local Development Plan (LDP) is the Council’s key land use planning document. It will set out policies and proposals for the future development and use of land in Torfaen up to 2021, in line with legislative requirements. When adopted it will replace the existing Gwent Structure Plan and Torfaen Local Plan and form the basis for decisions on individual planning applications. The LDP will therefore provide a measure of certainty about what kinds of development will be permitted and where during the plan period.

 

The LDP will support the vision for Torfaen, as set out in its Community Strategy, as well as supporting the overall Welsh Assembly Government vision for South East Wales as detailed in the Wales Spatial Plan. It will identify opportunities for investment and regeneration including provision for the new homes, jobs, community facilities and transport infrastructure that will be needed over the next 15 years.

 

The Plan will also identify land that needs to be protected for its conservation importance and other measures necessary if our environment is to be safeguarded.

 

At this stage in the preparation of the LDP the Council is consulting on three documents:-

• The Preferred Strategy is not the full draft plan, but sets out the key issues and the Council’s broad proposals to tackle them. It includes the proposed vision and objectives, strategic options, preferred strategy, strategic policies and strategic sites. It shows how key environmental, economic and social issues and trends affecting Torfaen will be addressed. The strategy shows how the development needs of the area will be met, including the proposed possible locations for new housing and employment. The Preferred Strategy also contains a Draft Programme for the production of Supplementary Planning Guidance, which we are also seeking your views on.  A summary leaflet of the Preferred Strategy has also been produced which is available in both English and Welsh:
• • Torfaen LDP – Preferred Strategy Summary Leaflet – English
  • CDLl Torfaen – Strategaeth Ddewisol – Crynodeb Cymraeg
• The Initial Sustainability Appraisal Report identifies the social, economic and environmental implications of the Preferred Strategy options and proposals; and the
• The Draft Candidate Site Assessment Methodology identifies the evaluation process which will be used to determine which sites have the potential for further investigation to help the development of the Deposit LDP.

A number of Background Studies| have been produced and are being undertaken to inform the LDP Preferred Strategy and the Deposit LDP.

 

Public Exhibitions are being held at the following dates and venues where you can view the Preferred Strategy proposals and ask members of the Forward Plans team about them.

 

16/02/2008	Cwmbran Library	09:30 - 15:30
18/02/2008	Blaenavon Library	09:30 - 13.00   14.00 - 17:30
19/02/2008	Pontypool Active Living Centre	09:30 - 17:30
20/02/2008	Abersychan Library	10:00 - 13.00  14:00 - 18:30
21/02/2008	Pontypool Active Living Centre	09:30 - 17:30
22/02/2008	Cwmbran Library	09:30 - 17:30

 

In addition there is an open invitation to a formal presentation on the details of the preferred strategy on Wednesday 20th February at 7:00pm in the Council Chamber, County Hall, Cwmbran. All Welcome.

 

Copies of the documents are available for public inspection free of charge at the Civic Centre, Pontypool, and County Hall, Cwmbran from Monday to Friday between 9am and 4.30 pm and in all Torfaen public libraries and the mobile library during their normal opening hours.

 

Copies can be purchased from County Hall, Cwmbran, see our Publications page for details.

 

Comments in respect of the proposals should be sent in writing to:-

 

Duncan Smith,

Chief Officer Planning and Public Protection,

County Hall,

Cwmbran,

NP44 2WN

 

or by email to ldp@torfaen.gov.uk|

 

Forms for making comments are available from the Civic Centre or County Hall or can be downloaded below:-

• Torfaen LDP - Preferred Strategy - Comments Form
• Torfaen LDP - Draft SPG - Comments Form
• Torfaen LDP - Initial Sustainability Appraisal Report - Comments Form
• Torfaen LDP - Draft Candidate Sites Assessment Methodology - Comments Form

The last day for receipt of comments is Monday 10 March 2008. Comments should specify the matters to which they relate.