Public consultation on the proposed changes to the Barnsley Education Sites (Submission) Development Plan document

AS part of the on-going production of the Local Development Framework (LDF) – the plan which will replace the current Unitary Development Plan and inform future development within the borough – Barnsley Council submitted the Barnsley Education Sites Development Plan Document (DPD) to the Secretary of State in December 2007.

An independent Planning Inspector is currently examining the soundness of the DPD by written representations. This means that no public pre-examination or examination meeting will be held. As part of this process the council is proposing to the Inspector a number of modest changes to the submission version of the DPD. If the Inspector recommends that the changes are made they will be included in the Barnsley Education Sites Development Plan Document when it is adopted.

These changes include the addition of a new section on implementation and monitoring and improved cross-referencing to the DPD’s evidence base. No changes to the sites or policies included in the DPD, or the Sustainability Appraisal have been proposed.

Members of the public can view the Proposed Changes Document on the Local Development Framework pages of the council’s website www.barnsley.gov.uk or by calling into local libraries or Barnsley Connects service centres.

The council is giving everyone a chance to have their say on the proposed changes during a formal consultation period. The consultation period runs for six weeks from Monday, 21 July to Monday, 1 September.

Comments must be related to the Proposed Changes Document only, and should also be related to the soundness of the changes proposed. Any comments made on the Proposed Changes Document will be considered by the Inspector.

In the first instance comments should be made using the council’s new online consultation system, found at consult.barnsley.gov.uk/portal. The benefits of the system are that it saves paper and reduces postage costs. To use the online system for the first time, internet users are required to register their name, address and email address.

People who do not have an email address or access to the internet can still make comments in writing. Written comments should be made on the formal comments sheet which is available to download from the council’s website, by phoning (01226) 772606 and asking for a copy or from libraries and Connects Service Centres across the borough.

Completed formal comments sheets should be returned by email to planningpolicy@barnsley.gov.uk  or by post to the Planning Policy, Planning and Transportation Service, BMBC, PO Box 604, Barnsley, S70 9FE or by fax to 01226 772199.

If people would like to talk about any aspect of the proposed changes before making a comment they can telephone 01226 772606 to talk to a planning officer.

The Inspector’s report will be made publicly available following the examination. Comments may also be accompanied by a request to be notified of the publication of the Inspector’s Report following the Independent Examination into the DPD and/or, the adoption of the DPD.

Cllr May Noble, Cabinet Support Member for Development, said: “The Local Development Framework is an extremely important plan for the future of Barnsley. We are keen to receive the public’s comments on the proposals we have drawn up. This is a plan for the whole borough – it belongs to everyone and we want everyone to be a part of it.”

ENDS

Issued by press office, (01226) 773442, email: pressoffice@barnsley.gov.uk