Planning Inspector finds Land Allocations Local Plan 'sound'

Dover District Council's Land Allocations Local Plan (LALP) has been found 'sound' following an independent review by Planning Inspector, Christopher Anstey, BA (Hons) DipTP DipLA MRTPI. The Inspector's Report and the Plan will now go to Full Council for adoption on 28 January 2015.

The Land Allocations Local Plan identifies land within the district for specific types of development such as housing and employment. These sites are in addition to the strategic housing allocations at Dover Waterfront, Dover Mid-Town, the former Connaught Barracks site, and the Whitfield Urban Expansion, as set out in the Council's Core Strategy adopted in February 2010.

The Land Allocations Local Plan went through an extensive consultation process, including a public hearing from 28 January to 7 February 2014. A further period of consultation took place in September 2014 on a number of Main Modifications to the Plan.

In his report to Dover District Council, Christopher Anstey, said: "It is evident that the Council has sought to respond positively both to the comments received from the public and stakeholders during the earlier stages of the preparation of the LALP and to the representations received to the Pre-Submission LALP. Whenever possible, the Council has sought to resolve soundness issues by appropriate changes to policies or text. This approach has continued throughout the Examination with the result that a significant number of representations have been satisfactorily addressed. Such a process of constructive engagement is a vital ingredient of the local plan system and the Council's endeavours in this regard are to be commended."

Cllr Paul Watkins, Leader of Dover District Council, said: "This is another significant step forward in our growth and regeneration agenda. Alongside the Core Strategy, it sets out how we will achieve our plans to deliver 10,100 new homes in the district by 2026 and 14,000 in the longer term. At the same time, it gives developers and residents certainty about land identified for potential development."