Strategy put to city again

Planning, 5 September 2008

The examination opened formally in April but was postponed after inspector Shelagh Bussey suggested the changes. The council consulted on these in May and a second public hearing will now start on Monday after the cabinet agreed to the alterations.

The Liberal Democrats took control of the council from Labour in May. However, a council spokesman said the delay was not entirely caused by the change in political administration. "It was just felt that some points in the strategy need reinforcing. We had to take legal advice as to whether we could do it," he explained.

Local development framework project manager Peter Rainford added: "The inspector wanted evidence that the changes had been consulted on and the new administration then had to consider its response."

Policies on housing density, affordable housing, mixed communities, locations for Gypsies and renewable energy production have been expanded. Policies on open space, design principles, sustainable building design and flood risk management have been added.

The council said the changes will strengthen rules on protecting open space and raise the level of affordable housing provision in new schemes. Bussey's final and binding report is now expected to be completed by the end of the year.