Major plan to shape city's development approved

A major plan which will shape future development in Peterborough has taken a big step forward.

Peterborough City Council's cabinet met on Tuesday and were asked to approve the final draft of the Local Plan, which is titled the Proposed Submission.

The Local Plan is the key document which allows local authorities to guide development in their areas, with about 20,000 new homes and 196 hectares of new employment land planned for the district in the next 20 years.

At the meeting, members decided to approve the Proposed Submission and enable a six-week consultation to take place in September and October, before it is submitted to the government for final approval.

A last-minute amendment was approved which will see potential development of the Drysides nature spot near Stanground removed from the plan, despite previously being earmarked for a major industrial site.

Locations identified for new housing include a possible 2,000 homes east of Newborough Road.

However, this means that there will now be a shortfall in employment land provision in the plan, reports the Local Democracy Reporting Service.

A proposal to allow up to 3,000 homes to be developed at Castor and Ailsworth was also removed from the plan after a backlash, as well as a proposed housing development at the much-loved Green Backyard charity site on London Road.

Peterborough's Proposed Submission Local Plan must be submitted to the Ministry of Housing, Communities & Local Government by 31 December.

The council said the adoption of an up-to-date Local Plan would strengthen its ability to plan positively for future growth, support investment and regeneration, improve the city's housing land supply position, and reduce the risk of speculative development.

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