Our city is better off having a local plan
AFTER a long period of community engagement that included cooperation with our neighbouring local authorities and extensive public examination, Coventry’s Local Plan was adopted in December 2017.
As had been highlighted on numerous occasions, the Plan includes a clear review mechanism that would be triggered should specific things happen, or a specific need arise. This also includes a date for assessing the need to review at March 2021 - if a trigger has not been met before.
To support this review mechanism, the council regularly monitors the plan performance and works together with neighbouring authorities. This reflects the government’s requirements to regularly monitor local plans and ensure they remain up to date.
In terms of the city’s development needs, it is important to stress that the housing and economic requirements of the city were based upon a population and household growth figured published by the government which Coventry City Council had no control over.
These are based on a consistent, national methodology and must be the basis for preparing local plans. Projections are issues every two years and continue to project significant growth for Coventry. The next set of growth projections are due to be issued this summer.
We have always been clear that as a city we are better off having a local plan than not. We do need additional housing and without a local plan, the city is exposed to rogue planning proposals that can be determined on appeal or by the planning inspectorate without having full regard to local policies or requirements.
By having a local plan in place, we are able to secure the infrastructure we need to support growth and ensure that what is built across our city responds to the needs of its citizens and is of high quality.
If we do not have one, then it is a free-for-all as there is no controlled and sustainable plan, but we effectively have a ‘developer’s charter’ that could actually see more Green belt lost.
Even if the government agrees to a reduction in their agreed figured, any reduction will come from the numbers other neighbouring local authorities have agreed on our behalf and not from Coventry’s figures.
All of these facts are conveniently brushed over and forgotten by members of the opposition who seem content on exposing the city to developers in an irresponsible way in a desperate pursuit of votes.
Cllr George Duggins Leader of Coventry City Council. Dreaming of glory days again for Cov
COVENTRY City are flying. Wouldn’t it be wonderful to see the Sky Blues gain promotion and be battling for a place in the Premiership during City of Culture year.
I’m also hoping for a return to the Ricoh.
John Tyler, Coventry