Locals to have their say on the future of North East Lincolnshire

Last October, the Cabinet agreed for the Local Plan Review to re-start after the work had been paused because of the pandemic.

The Local Plan sets out how the borough should develop over the next 20 years, taking into account things like population estimates and projections, types of space available, and what they should be used for.

Local Plans help decide planning applications and other planning related decisions as they act as a local guide to what can be built where and determining the future pattern of development in the borough.

North East Lincolnshire’s last Local Plan was adopted in 2018, and the revised Local Plan will need to go through several rounds of engagement during its preparation before being submitted to Government.

Changes in Government’s planning policy need to be included i the newer plan along with other changes coming up.

Cllr Philip Jackson, leader of North East Lincolnshire Council, said: “Whilst much of the existing plan for our area is working well and doesn’t need revision, we need to make sure that our Local Plan is current and suitable for the needs of our local people. It will help deliver the new homes and jobs we need and safeguard the environmental assets we value.”

The next steps are as follows (indicative dates, subject to change):

• August 2022: Cabinet paper seeking approval to undertake engagement, which will provide the framework for the review
• Sept 2022: commence engagement
• 2023 to 2024: Draft Local Plan is developed. Two iterative rounds of statutory consultation on the Draft Local Plans.
• Late 2024: Submission to the Secretary of State for formal examination
• Early 2025: New Local Plan adopted

Further detail on the timeframe for the local plan review, setting out the key milestones for future consultation will be confirmed when information from Government has been clarified and once the initial piece of engagement has been completed later this year.