Wiltshire Core Strategy - new consultation underway

The Inspector has also ordered the Council to consult on:

• the schedules of proposed changes (see below);

• the updated Sustainability Appraisal; and

• the soundness of the submitted Core Strategy in the context of the final version of the National Planning Policy Framework and Planning policy for travellers, which were published after the Pre-Submission Document.

Wrong information from the council during the previous consultation caused confusion when people were told that comments were only sought on changes within the Wiltshire Core Strategy Pre-Submission Document (February 2012) when compared to its predecessor, rather than the document as a whole.

Comments made during the last Core Strategy consultation (February to April 2012) have already been sent to the Inspector and don't need to be repeated.

The consultation period runs from Thursday 20^th September until 5pm on Thursday 1^st November.

In summary, the schedules of proposed changes include amendments:

• in relation to Core Policy 42 (standalone renewable energy installations) and the identification of separation distances between wind turbines and residential premises;

• in response to representations received during the February to April consultation;

• in response to the Government's National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF) and Planning policy for traveller sites; and

• to update the housing trajectory.

The proposed changes are presented in full in 3 separate schedules and should be read alongside the Wiltshire Core Strategy Pre-submission Document (February 2012).

Once the consultation has ended the Inspector will consider the responses and assess whether they raise any issues of 'soundness' that should be considered at the forthcoming EIP.

How to make comments

All the consultation documents can be: viewed, commented on and downloaded via the Council's consultation portal http://consult.wiltshire.gov.uk/portal; viewed via http://www.wiltshire.gov.uk/planninganddevelopment/planningpolicy/wiltshirecorestrategy.htm or at Wiltshire Council libraries during normal opening hours and at the following Wiltshire Council office locations:

Salisbury: 27-29 Milford Street, Salisbury, Wiltshire, SP1 2AP (Monday to Friday 8.30am to 5pm)

Trowbridge: County Hall, Bythesea Road, Trowbridge, Wiltshire, BA14 8JN (Monday to Thursday 8.30am to 5.20pm Friday 8.30am to 5 pm)

Chippenham: Monkton Park, Chippenham, Wiltshire, SN15 1ER (Monday to Thursday 9am to 5pm Friday 9am to 4.30pm)

The NPPF can also be viewed at: http://www.communities.gov.uk/publications/planningandbuilding/nppf and Planning policy for traveller sites at: http://www.communities.gov.uk/documents/planningandbuilding/pdf/2113371.Pdf

If you wish to make representations, it helps the Council if your comments are submitted via the online consultation portal or on the standard representation form, which is available at the above locations.

A guidance note is available to assist you in completing the form. A separate form should be completed for each representation you wish to make. Completed representation forms can be sent electronically to spatialplanningpolicy@wiltshire.gov.uk or posted to: Economy & Regeneration, Wiltshire Council, County Hall, Trowbridge, BA14 8JN.

For further information please contact the Spatial Planning team on 01225 713223 or email: spatialplanningpolicy@wiltshire.gov.uk

Consultation document

Here's a press release from Wiltshire Lib Dems:

Conservatives told to do Core Strategy consultation "properly"

Conservatives on Wiltshire council have been left red faced after the planning inspectorate sent back Wiltshire's Core Strategy with concerns that the Conservative administration had cut corners during the consultation period.

Wiltshire Conservatives' last minute change to the Core Strategy, which took away a community's power to decide whether or not they wanted a wind turbine, was also never consulted on.

Whilst the Core Strategy is in consultation, the delay will cost taxpayers more money and put our green spaces at an increased risk of speculative development.

Cllr Jon Hubbard, the leader of the Liberal Democrats on Wiltshire Council said, "Last minute backbench amendments and a consultation that officers did not consider adequate are now putting the Core Strategy at risk, increasing the risk of speculative development, and costing the taxpayer more money."

"Once again, Conservatives in Wiltshire have tried to make decisions without consulting the people of Wiltshire properly, and we are now faced with an embarrassing situation where officers have sent back the Core strategy and told the council to do it properly".