Scarborough Council's local plan still continuing as residents encouraged to be part of the process

Last year, Scarborough Council began the process of working on its Local Plan.

The council last submitted a Local Plan to the Government in 2016 which set out its aspirations for the coming 15 years.

Planning officers in the authority felt, however, that due to a number of guideline changes at a national level a review was needed and the authority’s cabinet agreed, voting to kick off the process.

Changes include updated guidance from the Government on how local authorities such as the borough council should calculate its housing need and how the number of houses that can be built on a site should be worked out.

There are also implications rising from the authority’s vote in 2019 to declare a climate change emergency, which calls on the council to try and meet a number of environmental and sustainability targets.

The Local Plan also covers issues including the number of affordable houses the borough council wants to provide.

The working group had been due to feedback its first draft of issues for consideration early this year before the pandemic struck.

The council has now assured residents that the review is continuing and asked them to sign up to be a part of the process.

A spokesman said: “The review of the Local Plan continues and we hope to be able to engage with the community later this year on the first phase of this review.

“Many of you have already signed up to receive updates and we thank you for your interest to date. or those who haven’t yet signed up then please visit the following website to do so https://scarborough-consult.objective.co.uk/kse/.”

It is hoped the new Local Plan will be adopted in 2023.

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