Local residents have a final opportunity to comment on proposed main modifications to the Site Allocations Development Plan Document (DPD) following the launch of an eight-week consultation on 18 September 2020.
The Site Allocations DPD is an important document that Woking Borough Council has committed to prepare to enable the delivery of its Core Strategy, which was adopted in October 2012. The document identifies urban and Green Belt sites for future housing, employment, and infrastructure within the Borough to ensure the Council meets its future development requirements.
The Council has also published a schedule of additional modifications that will be incorporated into the DPD to enhance its quality. These additional modifications are of an editorial or factual nature and are not being consulted on.
The Site Allocations DPD was submitted to the Planning Inspectorate during July 2019, following a comprehensive consultation process. Subsequently, a series of public examination hearings were held in December 2019 to determine whether the Site Allocations DPD was ‘sound’ and legally compliant.
At the request of the Inspector, the Council is now consulting on the main modifications to the DPD that might be necessary to make it ‘sound’ and legally compliant. The outcome of the consultation will be taken into account before the Inspector submits his report to Council.
Due to ongoing Covid-19 restrictions, the Council is unable to host face-to-face meetings. Instead, online video Zoom sessions will take place, where officers will be available to answer questions. Sessions will be held on:
- Thursday 1 October, 1pm
- Tuesday 13 October, 6pm
- Wednesday 21 October, 4pm
Residents and interested parties wishing to attend an online session should email planning.policy@woking.gov.uk to register their interest. Log-in details to the Zoom meeting will be forwarded prior to the sessions commencing.
To view the proposed main modifications, please visit www.woking2027.info/allocations
The proposed main modifications to the Site Allocations DPD and its supporting documents are also available to view at Woking and Knaphill libraries. Please visit www.surreycc.gov.uk for the address and opening times of each library.
Residents wishing to submit their feedback to the proposed main Site Allocation DPD modifications can do so online at www.woking2027.info/allocations, by email to planning.policy@woking.gov.uk or in writing to Planning Policy Team, Woking Borough Council, Civic Offices, Gloucester Square, Woking GU21 6YL.
All responses must be submitted before the consultation closes at 5pm, Monday 16 November 2020.
Residents that require a paper copy or a USB stick of documents, or further information or guidance about the Zoom meetings should contact Woking Borough Council’s Planning Policy Team on 01483 743871 or email planning.policy@woking.gov.uk
Can we be sure that any officers with a fiduciary interest of any kind will absent themselves from relevant discussions and decisions?
It could be construed that they have a vested interest and a bias in the resulting outcome.
This of course includes any subsidiary bodies allied to Woking Borough Council