South Wiltshire Core Strategy suspended

Wiltshire Council will review housing figures across the county following the Government’s decision to abolish binding, planning strategies.

As a result of the abolition of Regional Spatial Strategies (RSS), the council’s South Wiltshire Core Strategy proceedings will be suspended.

The core strategy outlined the spatial vision, key objectives and overall principles for development in the former Salisbury District Council area.

Full Council agreed to submit the South Wiltshire Core Strategy to the Secretary of State in November last year and it was subject to formal Examination in Public (EIP) for six weeks during the spring.

However, before the inspector issued his final report, the Communities and Local Government (CLG) Secretary Eric Pickles revoked the RSS which was key to the development of the council’s South Wiltshire Core Strategy.

Wiltshire Council and the inspector agreed that proceedings should now be suspended while the council carries out a full review of housing and employment needs in South Wiltshire.

Cllr John Brady, Cabinet member for economic development, planning and housing, said: “I am delighted the inspector has recognised that we find ourselves in highly unusual circumstances with the abolition of the RSS taking place towards the end of the Examination of the South Wilts Core Strategy. His agreement to suspend his report to allow us time to reassess our situation is most welcome.

“We know there has been much disquiet over the housing numbers in South Wiltshire with 11,000 representations to the process attesting to the controversial nature of the process. Given this and the opportunity the Government has given us, it is the only sensible course of action to look again at these figures. It is proposed to commence the review of housing numbers immediately and to take the conclusions to the Full Council meeting in November.”

The council is also in the process of producing a core strategy for the whole county, which will eventually incorporate the South Wiltshire Core Strategy. The work is continuing and will need to reflect the changes made to the national and regional planning guidance.