People in Poole are being invited to have their say on the development of the town up until 2031.
Borough of Poole is consulting residents on a review of Poole’s Core Strategy plan that sets out the strategic vision for where and how many homes, jobs and shops will be created in the town.
Around 700 new homes need to be built each year, which is a significant increase on the council’s current housing target of 500. There are also a number of locally based businesses wishing to expand but finding suitable sites in Poole is proving difficult.
The consultation document outlines three options for the housing target of 500, 700 and more than 700 homes per year. These options could be achieved by continuing with the council’s current strategy, increasing densities within the town, expanding the town outwards and relying on neighbouring authorities to meet some of Poole’s needs.
The council wants to hear the views of local people on how Poole can accommodate future development needs to 2031.
Alongside the Core Strategy, the council is also reviewing its Community Infrastructure Levy (CIL) Charging Schedule. Borough of Poole was one of the first local authorities to introduce CIL in 2013, a locally set planning charge on development to help pay for the town’s infrastructure. It is now seeking the views of local people on whether these rates are deliverable and will continue to encourage landowners and developers to bring sites forward.
People can submit their views on both documents online at poole.gov.uk/corestrategyreview and poole.gov.uk/cil by 31 March 2015. Paper copies can be viewed in the planning reception at the Civic Centre and at all Poole libraries.
Council staff will also be at a series of drop in exhibitions to answer any questions about the proposals and to offer help with completing the questionnaire. These sessions are being held at:
• 9 March – Creekmoor Library 2pm to 5.30pm
• 11 March – Hamworthy Library 1pm to 6.30pm
• 17 and 18 March – 58 High Street, Poole 10am to 4pm
• 20 March – Hamworthy Club, Magna Road 2pm to7pm
Cllr Mike White, Cabinet Portfolio Holder for Regeneration and Inward Investment, Borough of Poole, said: “Poole will see a lot of change over the period to 2031. We will see the delivery of new homes, jobs and other facilities that will be required to help Poole prosper over the coming years.
“It is important that we listen to the views of local people when developing our strategies for the future to help us guide development and change across the town. We would welcome everyone’s views on the most appropriate option for accommodating growth in Poole in the future.”
Further public consultation will take place on the final draft of the Core Strategy and draft CIL rates in autumn 2015. The council will then submit both plans to the Secretary of State for independent inspection in spring 2016 with the aim that both plans will be adopted in summer 2016.
