Winchester announces a "soundness" consultation on their Joint Core Strategy

26 Jan 12

The Winchester District Core Strategy has been renamed "Winchester District Local Plan Part 1 – Joint Core Strategy" and the latest consultation has been announced. Termed the ‘soundness’ consultation, it is seeking views of the business community in respect of four key elements:

> Justified - based on robust and up to date evidence
> Effective - capable of being delivered and monitored
> Consistent with National Policy
> Legally compliant

Kit Finney, Chairman of the Chamber's Winchester Area Committee said, "The Local Plan process dates back to 2006 and Chamber has fed into the process on different levels and at appropriate stages. The latest response was in August 2011 when Chamber responded to the 'Plans for Places - After Blueprint' Consultation which dealt with spatial strategies, development and land uses for housing and economic development. This is another opportunity for businesses to comment on specific issues raised in the Joint Core Strategy, ahead of new National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF) and recommendations on key development sites in Winchester."

The deadline for comments direct to Winchester City Council on this latest consultation is 12 March. The Chamber will be requesting Chamber members comments for inclusion in their main response by 9 March.

Chamber members are requested to submit their comments to Ian Welland, Head of Area Development for Hampshire Chamber of Commerce by Email: ian.welland@hampshirechamber.co.uk

Please see links below for announcement and core strategy documents

Useful links

http://www.winchester.gov.uk/NewsArticle.asp?id=SX9452-A7863FC8&cat=6550

http://www.winchester.gov.uk/jointcorestrategy