Last chance to comment on blueprint for housing development in the Dales

A series of 23 public exhibitions will be held across the district from 13 June to 25 July, giving communities, local businesses and residents a say on the key issues and where new development should take place.

The Derbyshire Dales Local Plan sets out for the next 15 years the objectives and policies for the future development of the parts of the Dales that lie outside the Peak District National Park.

The plan aims to look at local needs, especially for housing and economic development, while protecting the very special qualities of the district’s environment.

Following an extensive consultation programme last summer, the District Council set the priorities for potential sites in different areas of the Dales to address a shortfall of around 800 new homes that need to be built by the year 2028.

Once approved, the Local Plan will set the policies for key development sites that have been identified and all other development across the Plan area in the

determination of planning applications.

District Council Leader Councillor Lewis Rose OBE, who chaired the series of meetings, said: “We are being thorough in engaging local people in the drafting of a

very important document for the Derbyshire Dales.

“We pride ourselves on listening to the views of local residents, and on this issue elected members have already responded to the concerns of the people they

represent. The series of exhibitions in June and July is the last opportunity for our residents to have their say. Our planning officers will be available at most of the venues to talk through any issues and, as always, we very much welcome feedback from Derbyshire Dales people.

“The new Local Plan, which we envisage formally adopting by this time next year, is designed to ensure future generations of people who regard the Dales as their home have somewhere affordable to live.”

Feedback can be given online at www.derbyshiredales.gov.uk/localplan, by email to [email protected] or in writing to: Local Plan, Derbyshire Dales

District Council, Town Hall, Bank Road, Matlock, Derbyshire DE4 3NN.

In addition to the venues listed below, the draft Local Plan will be available to view at the Town Hall in Matlock.

Exhibitions will be take place:

13 June 2-6pm: Sudbury Parish Rooms

14 June, 2-8pm: Brailsford Institute

18 June, 2-8pm: Ashbourne Leisure Centre

19 June, 2-6pm: Rowsley Methodist Church

20 June, 2-8pm: Whitworth Centre, Darley Dale

20 June, 2-6pm: Brassington Village Hall

21 June, 2-6pm: Hulland Ward Millennium Village Hall

21 June, 2-6pm: Cromford Institute

25 June, 2-6pm: Kirk Ireton Village Hall

26 June, 2-8pm: Wirksworth Leisure Centre

27 June, 2-6pm: Matlock Bath Community Centre

27 June, 2-6pm: Middleton Village Hall

28 June, 2-8pm: Matlock Imperial Rooms

1 July, 2-6pm: Bonsall Village Hall

2 July, 2-8pm: Tansley Village Hall

3 July, 2-6pm: Red Lion PH, Kniveton

5 July, 2-6pm: Marston Montgomery Village Hall

8 July, 2-8pm: Doveridge Village Hall

9 July, 2-6pm: Clifton Village Hall

10 July, 2-6pm: Hognaston Village Hall

Unmanned exhibitions of the draft Local Plan will take place at Ashbourne Library from 1-8 July, Wirksworth Library 9-16 July and Matlock Town Hall 17-25 July.