The Powys Local Development Plan (LDP) 2011-2026 is now under review to determine how well it is functioning and to assess what updates are required.
It was adopted nearly four years ago (April 2018) and sets out the county council’s policies for the development and use of land in Powys (excluding the Brecon Beacons National Park). And, together with national planning policy, guides decision-making on planning applications with the aim of securing sustainable development.
Powys County Council’s (PCC) findings and conclusions on the review are detailed in the Draft Review Report which is now available for comments. These should be submitted by Tuesday 1 February 2022 and will be used to inform the Final Review Report.
The Draft Review Report recommends that the LDP is subject to a full revision which would result in a Replacement Local Development Plan (RLDP) taking effect from 2026. This means that work on a RLDP would begin later this year, with the RLDP spanning a 15-year plan period covering 2022-2037.
The RLDP must be produced in line with an agreed timetable and community involvement scheme. These are contained in a document called the Delivery Agreement.
PCC is also seeking comments on the Draft Delivery Agreement which sets out how it intends to produce the RLDP over the next three-and-a-half years.
The Delivery Agreement acts as a project plan, setting out the timetable and explaining who will be involved and how and when local communities and interested parties can influence the content of the plan. As with the Review Report consultation, comments should be submitted by 1 February 2022 and will be used to inform the Final Delivery Agreement.
Council Leader, Cllr Rosemarie Harris, whose responsibilities include planning, said: “The Local Development Plan is a very important document which carries a great deal of weight when it comes to making decisions on planning applications, so please do comment on the Draft Review Report and the Draft Delivery Agreement, if you have an interest in development and land use in Powys. We are very keen to get your views on them!”
