Following the first stage of the EIP in November and December last year. The PIN advised a number of required modifications, the most significant was that we should set a higher target for housing development, in accordance with National Policy, across the borough at 776 homes per year [as against our submitted 540] to the year 2031. If we deliver the required modifications after public consultation, then at the next stage of the EIP the PIN will declare our emerging Local Plan sound and we can adopt it at Council to be one if its strategic policies.
In the last month or so I have been heavily involved in steering the revised housing targets through Committee and Cabinet. This has involved a call for fresh sites to accommodate the housing and to then deciding which sites should be allocated to meet the increased target. From over 170 sites submitted for development only 16 have been selected.
Using the same methodology for considering sites at first stage, NO site in the Parish of Upchurch has been identified as being needed to help with the increased borough target imposed by the PIN and so none will appear in the next round of public consultation.
Councillor Gerry Lewin
Tel: 01634 366113 Email: lewing135@btinternet.com
space
