Views sought on High Peak planning documents

Published on 17 January 2023

Members of the public are being invited to comment on planning issues which will shape the future development of the High Peak.

The Borough Council is asking for views on three documents:

·       Local Plan Review- the Council is starting the review of the Local Plan. This early engagement document will highlight some of the key issues that need to be considered as part of the drafting of a new Local Plan to cover the period to 2041 to help the Council understand the key issues to be tackled and any suggestions for future sites to develop or protect.

·       Developer Contributions - guidance for affordable housing, open spaces, education, health and other infrastructure required to address the impact of development and how contributions will be calculated.

·       Statement of Community Involvement - this document sets out how the Council will engage with residents, businesses and other organisations in decision making on policy documents and planning applications.

Leader of the Council, Councillor Anthony Mckeown, said: "Our Local Plan was adopted in 2016 and is now due for review. This initial round of consultation will help to shape and focus our planning policy and decision making on planning in the coming years.

"Our Local Plan sets out the blueprint for how the High Peak will develop in the future, including where housing, employment sites and retail should be, and this is chance for everyone that lives and works in High Peak to tell us their thoughts so it's really important that we hear from our residents and businesses.

"The documents will be published on our website on 19 January when the consultation starts so I'd encourage everyone with an interest in High Peak's future development to read them and share their opinions and thoughts with us."

The consultation runs from Thursday 19 January until 5pm Friday 3 March.

You can read the documents online at https://highpeak-consult.objective.co.uk/kse or view paper copies at Buxton Town Hall, Glossop Municipal Buildings and the Town Halls in Chapel-en-le-Frith and New Mills. They will also be available at all High Peak libraries during opening hours.

The easiest way to share your views is online via the response form on the website. You can also email the completed form to ldf@highpeak.gov.uk

Paper forms are available at the locations where the documents can be viewed and should be posted to Planning Policy, High Peak Borough Council, Buxton Town Hall, Market Place, Buxton, SK17 6EL.

Comments made on the developer contributions and community involvement documents will be taken into account before these documents are adopted by the Council.

High Peak's Local Plan, adopted in 2016, needs updating to take account of housing, including affordable housing, and employment needs. Feedback received during this initial consultation will help identify options and issues in advance of further consultation planned for later this year.

There will also be further opportunities to comment on the Plan as it develops before it is submitted for Government consideration in 2025