We all have a part to play in preparing the Local Development Framework (LDF) and the Council will be seeking the views of all sections of the community and a wide range of businesses and organisations. We will also take account of the views expressed by citizens and organisations through the ongoing consultation exercises associated with preparing the Community Strategy and service improvements.  

The LDF will need to deal with the spatial issues like:

• providing new jobs and employment opportunities
• building new homes
• making it easier to travel around
• providing education and health facilities
• protecting open space, the countryside and historic buildings
• providing retail and leisure facilities
• improving the quality of town centres, public spaces and buildings

It will take time to prepare the documents for the LDF and some of the issues are complex.  

There will be a number of opportunities and ways to get involved (see the Local Development Scheme and Statement Of Community Involvement).  Through Early Community Engagement in Summer and Autumn 2004 we sought views about the importance of the issues highlighted above.  We have used the information provided to help draw up an Issues and Options Report as a first step to preparing the LDF.  For further details click on the Issues and Options Consultation link on the LDF home page.

Please note this stage has been completed.