Development consultation reveals residents' preferences

The results from the recent public consultation on future development in the Royal Borough are now available for public viewing - and highlight the continuing support for maintaining our Green Belt and a preference for higher density development.

The consultation, on the Local Development Framework (LDF) Options Paper, was carried out between March and May this year to enable the public to express their views about how the Royal Borough can best meet the government target of 6,920 new homes between 2006 and 2026.

The report was considered at cabinet on Thursday 25 June and it was agreed that the findings of the consultation should now be taken into account in developing a strategy for the future development of the borough. This will now be carried forward as part of the LDF core strategy which will be presented to the government for independent examination during 2010.

The Options Paper set out a draft vision for the borough and key development management policies, and presented a number of objectives, in particular about density options for new development.

A total of 2,163 people replied, 96% of them residents and the remainder from interested groups such as developers and parishes. Their responses revealed:
· a general agreement with the overall vision for the LDF and about the objectives and aims as set out in the Options Paper
· the importance of the Green Belt - 63.5% of respondents rated the Green Belt as of highest importance and a further 16.6% still felt its protection was important
· a general preference of respondents (47%) for higher density development in existing settlements, while taking local conditions into consideration
· a preference for development in small sites (56%) if greenfield land is required, again with provisos
· a preference for new businesses to be on land next to town centres or other existing employment areas (74%).

Cllr Alison Knight, lead member for planning and development, welcomed the results and said they would help to further firm up the development strategy for the borough.

She said: "Thank you to everyone who took the time to give their opinions. Your feedback will help to ensure the resulting strategy is improved as far as possible, bearing in mind the current government-imposed requirements."

The final drafting of the LDF core strategy will take place this autumn along with further public consultation. Subject to approval from the Secretary of State, the strategy is expected to be adopted in December 2010.

The Options Paper and consultation results are available to view at http://www.rbwm.gov.uk/web/pp_core_strategy.htm

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