The consultation runs between 7th June and 23rd August 2019 and the Councils are required to seek comments on the Local Plan, which then get passed to the independent Inspector who will be examining the Plan later this year.

 

At this stage of the process comments should relate to three key areas (which are defined in the National Planning Policy Framework:

 

1. Is the Plan ‘sound’;

2. Is it legally compliant;

3. Have the Council fulfilled their Duty to Cooperate?

 

The Local Plan does not propose to meet the full housing need for the Districts. Instead, it proposes to send a significant proportion of this need towards the north of the County in what is currently Aylesbury Vale District. This means that house prices will remain unaffordable for many, with those in most need likely to be forced to relocate a number of miles away. It also will force many to have to commute back to Beaconsfield, rather than live and work locally. 

 

The Hall Barn Estate is encouraging any local residents, businesses or community groups to respond to the consultation. If you support the concept of Truly Affordable Housing, and would like to see these provided in Beaconsfield, then please make the Council aware of your views.

 

In responding to the consultation, you should identify why the Plan is not ‘sound’. Reasons for this may include:

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• The Plan has not fully tested all reasonable alternatives for meeting the full housing need within the Districts;

• That reasonable alternatives exist to meet some of these need – for example on land between the A40 and M40 in Beaconsfield;

• That exceptional circumstances do exist for the release of that land from the Green Belt to meet housing need and deliver community infrastructure.

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The Local Plan documents can be viewed here

Responses should be sent to South Bucks District Council by post, or by email to planning.policy@chilternandsouthbucks.gov.uk