When Harrogate Borough Council earlier this year adopted a Core Strategy under the new statutory Local Development Framework (LDF) it became one of the first councils in the country to adopt the major changes in the way local authorities are required by Government to plan for the future.

The council has announced the next round of consultations to develop the policies to deliver that Core Strategy.

Councillor Don Mackenzie, Cabinet Member for Planning and Transport, said: "The Core Strategy provides a broad framework for development and conservation in the district over the next fifteen years.


"The task now is to complete the LDF and determine exactly where new development should be located and what additional policies are needed to control development and promote conservation during the Core Strategy period.

"We plan to consolidate this into one single, comprehensive Sites and Policies' Development Plan Document. We believe this will simplify the process and it is in line with the Government's revised advice about reducing the number of development plan documents within the LDF."

The council is consulting on the proposed content of the new development plan document and informing people about the work to be undertaken over the next year on issues such as sport and open space, sites for new homes and jobs and the protection of the district's green infrastructure.

(CD/GK)