New local plan adopted by Chesterfield Borough Council
At its meeting on 15 July 2020, Chesterfield Borough Council formally adopted the Chesterfield Borough Local Plan for the period through 2035.
The Local Plan addresses identified development needs and maps out future housing, industrial, commercial and leisure land allocations within Chesterfield borough.
Councillor Terry Gilby, cabinet member for economic growth who has overseen the development of the Local Plan, said: “The Local Plan is a very important document that sets the framework for how the council and its stakeholders would wish to see development take place in Chesterfield borough over the next 15 years.
“It is critical guide for our conversations with potential developers and investors and informs the decision-making process in respect of all planning applications.
“My only disappointment is that the Planning Inspector has asked us to ease our requirements with regard the pioneering percentage for art scheme that I championed in 1992, however we will continue to encourage developers to commit to the scheme.”
The Local Plan identifies a need for at least 240 new homes to be built each year through 2035. New developments of more than 10 properties will be required to ensure a percentage of the housing on offer is affordable. There is also a requirement for more accessible housing in order to help meet the diverse needs of our community including older people and people with disabilities.
The Local Plan will be used by the council’s Planning Committee when determining planning applications for new developments and will require councilors to consider the importance of green spaces, traffic impact, sustainability measures and other local infrastructure requirements.
The retail focus will remain Chesterfield Town Centre but the Local Plan also seeks to concentrate new development within walking or cycling distance of district shopping centres such as Staveley, Hasland and Whittington Moor. Fifty hectares of land has also been allocated for new commercial and industrial developments to grow job numbers and help strengthen the local economy.
A public examination into the Local Plan was held between October and November last year to provide an opportunity for supporters and objectors to make their case before independent Government inspectors
Following this, the council undertook further consultation on a number of proposed modifications to the Local Plan to address issues raised at the public examination, many by the inspectors themselves.
The inspector’s final report was received in May 2020. This recommended that all the proposed modifications be adopted and incorporated within the final version of the Local Plan.
It is a requirement that the Local Plan is re-evaluated every five years and the council will next update the plan in 2025.
More information on the Chesterfield Borough Local Plan can be found at www.chesterfield.gov.uk/planning-and-building-control/planning-policy-and-the-local-plan
