Consultation on council's development plan extended

The consultation on Carmarthenshire County Council’s proposed Focused Changes to the Local Development Plan is being extended - to give residents more time to make their views known.
The consultation period was originally due to run from July 31 to September 13 but the council has made a cross-party decision to extend the deadline by four weeks to Friday October 11.
This gives more time for residents who may be going away on holiday in August, or town and community councils that do not have a meeting this month, and provides a clear six weeks beyond the August holiday period and the council recess .to discuss the issues and prepare a response.
Council Leader Cllr Kevin Madge said: “The original consultation period was set in accordance with statutory guidelines and the Delivery Agreement as approved by council and subsequently by the Welsh Government.
“However since it falls within a holiday period all parties have agreed that the deadline should be extended to give everyone a better opportunity to express their views.
“We are a listening council and are keen to gather as many views as possible on the proposed Focused Changes.”
These Focused Changes set out amendments to the LDP following the consideration of the representations received in response to the Deposit LDP and Alternative Sites consultations. It is considered that these proposed changes will improve the soundness of the Plan.
The consultation invites comments only on these changes. Any views submitted on other aspects of the LDP which are not the subject of change cannot be considered.
The Council is also publishing the following series of Supplementary Planning Guidance (SPG) to provide further detail on certain policies and proposals contained within the LDP:

• Welsh Language
• Phasing
• Affordable Housing
• Planning Obligations
• Caeau Mynydd Mawr Special Area of Conservation
• Adaptation and re-use of rural buildings for residential use
• South Llanelli Planning and Development Brief
• Pibwrlwyd, Carmarthen Planning and Development Brief
• Site of Ysgol Pantycelyn, Llandovery Planning and Development Brief

Forward Planning & Conservation Manager Jon Timothy said: “The publication and consultation of the Focused Changes and the Supplementary Planning Guidance represents a key stage in the preparation of the LDP and presents an important opportunity for residents and interested parties to comment on their content.”

Copies are available for public inspection at all public libraries in the County and at specific Council offices.
They are also available on the Council’s website at www.carmarthenshire.gov.uk/ldp

Further information on this consultation and on the LDP in general is available at www.carmarthenshire.gov.uk/ldp or by email: forward.planning@carmarthenshire.gov.uk or Tel. 01267 228818.

The Focused Changes, together with the Supplementary Planning Guidance, are now available for consultation from the July 31 until October 11 at 4.30pm.
Representations should be sent in writing to the Forward Planning and Conservation Manager, Council Offices, 8 Spilman Street, Carmarthen, Carmarthenshire, SA31 1JY or via e-mail to forward.planning@carmarthenshire.gov.uk.