People in Herefordshire should make sure have their say in a major planning consultation which aims to tackle the challenges faced by the rural parts of the West Midlands such as affordable housing, transport and accessibility.
Consultation on the West Midlands Regional Spatial Strategy Phase Two Revision Draft originally, scheduled to be completed back in June, has now been extended to December 8 following discussions with Government Office for the West Midlands (GOWM).
GOWM was asked by the government to carry out a study on options that could deliver higher housing numbers than proposed by the Phase Two Revision. GOWM appointed planning consultants Nathaniel Lichfield and Partners to undertake the study which was published on October 7, and is now available for public viewing.
The West Midlands Regional Spatial Strategy Phase Two Revision has been submitted to government by the West Midlands Regional Assembly for public examination and comments on it must be made by December 8. At the heart of this overarching planning strategy is a need for a major renaissance of the region's rural areas.
Geoff Hughes, Herefordshire Council's director of regeneration, said: "The aim of the West Midlands Regional Spatial Strategy is to regenerate rural areas with better transport links as well as improving health, education, skills training, shopping and community services.
"As one of the most rural counties in the West Midlands, it is vital that people in Herefordshire take part in the debate and have their say on what they feel needs to be done to make the county more sustainable," he added.
Among key issues for Herefordshire are:
Housing: The original proposal was for 16,600 new homes by 2026, with half of them in Hereford itself. The latest proposals could add a further 1,200 - but the key question is where should they be built?
Employment: Is 111 hectares enough land to be set aside in Herefordshire for industry. How much office and retail development is needed and where should it go? Hereford City has been identified as a strategic centre within the region, which means it could be a focus for office and retail development, do you agree with this?
Waste: Can Herefordshire manage all of its own waste and how much of that waste total can be diverted away from landfill?
Transport: What criteria should Herefordshire develop to decide how many parking spaces are needed for different types and sizes of development. Is there a need to come up with different criteria for different types of settlements and also take into account public transport and accessibility?
Chairman of the West Midlands Regional Assembly, Councillor David S Smith said: "We have developed the Phase Two Revision in consultation with local authorities across the region as well as technical experts in key areas such as housing, waste and logistics but it is very important now that we hear from as many individuals, businesses and organisations in Herefordshire as possible. The work that we are now doing and the decisions made following on from the consultation will have a major impact on their area over the next 20 years and beyond."
To get involved and have your say, you can comment on the Assembly's Phase Two Revision Draft either by post or email noon on December 8, 2008. Responses need to be sent to:
WMRSS Panel Secretary
c/o Government Office for the West Midlands
5 St. Philips Place
Colmore Row
Birmingham
B3 2PW
wm.panelsecretary@gowm.gsi.gov.uk