Work starts on County development plan

Powys County Council has received formal agreement to start the four-year process of preparing a new land use development plan.

The Powys Local Development Plan will establish a clear strategy for the sustainable development of Powys until around 2025.  It will cover the whole county apart from the Brecon Beacons National Park.

The Welsh Assembly Government has approved the Delivery Agreement for the plan, which sets out the formal timetable of the process including details of how people can get involved and when.

Cllr Wynne Jones, Board Member for Development and Planning Policy, said: "This plan is really important for the county because it will guide growth and development within our communities while protecting sensitive environments.

"Once completed, it will replace the Powys Unitary Development Plan and will be used to determine whether planning applications should be permitted or refused."

One of the first stages in the Local Development Plan process will be to invite people to submit sites for proposed development or other land uses such as open space and recreation.  These sites will be known as candidate sites and can be put forward by anyone including landowners, residents, developers and community councils.

Submissions are to be invited between 14 February and 6 May 2011.  Further information along with forms and guidance notes will be provided nearer the time.

Copies of the delivery agreement can be viewed at the council's main offices or on-line via the Powys County Council website: www.powys.gov.uk.

Alternatively please call the Planning Policy Team on (01938) 551229 or (01874) 612282 or email ldp@powys.gov.uk to request a copy or for more information on the local development plan and candidate sites process.