Public urged to have their say

COUNCIL bosses are urging residents to have their say about future Valley developments.

The new draft local plan has now been published setting out how the borough aims to meet its targets for housing, employment sites and facilities over two decades.

As well as earmarking development sites, it proposes zones for environmental protection including new and expanded conservation areas.

Council leader Alyson Barnes said: “The local plan is a very important document as it allows us to determine the best way for the borough to develop, given we have to meet government targets as well as meet our future infrastructure needs.

“Without a local plan, we are not protected against speculative development and we have no influence on how our borough grows.

“The draft local plan seeks to acknowledge the importance of the borough’s rural character while meeting the challenge of bringing forward new development in a valley. We have previously lobbied for changes to our housing target, which was too high. We are now seeking people’s views again and would urge everyone to have their say.” A series of drop-in sessions have been organised over the next few weeks.

The first was due to take place at Whitworth Riverside on Thursday, July 27 from 4pm to 7pm.

The public consultation will run until 5pm on Monday, October 9.

Visit www.rossendale.gov.uk/localplan for full details.