Future local developments to be revealed

The locations and scale of new local developments over the coming decade will be unveiled next month after planners said they are ready to move to a public consultation stage.

The council’s Cabinet agreed this week to consult on Further Focussed Changes (FFCs) within the Local Development Plan (LDP) which will guide the scale and location of new development in the county, excluding the Brecon Beacons National Park, up until 2026.

The FFCs relate to housing viability, delivery of housing numbers and gypsy and traveller accommodation. Renewable energy, including local search areas that have been identified for solar and wind energy, is also subject to the FFCs.

A public consultation on the changes to the plan are expected to take place next month.

Cllr Avril York, Cabinet Member for Planning and Regeneration, said: “Earlier this year, we were given a six-month extension by the Welsh Government-appointed inspector so that additional work can be carried out. The Further Focussed Changes are part of this work.

“A great deal of good work has taken place in developing our local development plan and this further activity will strengthen it for the future.

“Once the dates of the public consultation have been finalised, we will publicise them so everyone in the county will have an opportunity to look at the changes and respond to them.

“The local development plan will be the most important planning document we have and we are determined to ensure we have a robust framework in place. It is a policy for the long term and it is important that we get it right for the future.”