Core strategies key to future land use.

Byline: ANDREW MOSS 

CORE strategies help form a key part of the factors which are taken into consideration when any development application is made.

A number of councils across the North East are currently assembling their core strategies with the Stockton Core Strategy scheduled for an Examination in Public later this month, which will allow developers and members of the public to have their say on the document and what it proposes for the future use of land.

Key issues for Stockton which have been identified in the Core Strategy include the distribution of housing, the delivery of housing, affordable housing, employment and environmental protection, regeneration and flooding, transport, Wynyard, retail; Durham Tees Valley Airport, sustainable living and climate change and the definition of previously developed land. The Inspector who has been appointed by the Secretary of State will consider the above and assess the soundness of the Core Strategy.

Following the close of the Hearings he will prepare a report within conclusions and any changes he requires to the document. This report will be binding on the council.

The council will then, if it so chooses, move to formally adopt the Core Strategy changed as necessary to reflect the report. Once adopted, the Core Strategy will then form part of the Development Plan and be the starting point in the consideration of all development proposals.

Following on from the Core Strategy the council will progress with other Development Plan Documents which will seek to deliver the Strategy.

This process of plan making is intended to be inclusive and it is important that people who have an interest in development participate throughout the process including at the earliest stages. Elsewhere in the North East, progress is being made by other planning authorities on their Local Development Frameworks.

These include Sunderland, which has recently issued a Core Strategy: Alternative Approaches Consultation which will inform their Core Strategy.

Andrew Moss, associate chartered town planner at Ward Hadaway