Final consultation event on Rotherham's future

The Council are keen to make sure the public has viewed the information and made their comments before the deadline, for this round of consultation, on Friday, September 16.

During the consultation period 20 events have been held across the Borough where staff have been available to answer queries about the documents. These have been attended by approximately 1500 people

The 'Draft Core Strategy' comprising the overall plan, and the 'Sites and Policies Issues and Options' - which suggests sites for housing, employment, retail provision and other uses - are available to view on line and also at locations across the Borough - libraries, customer service centres and each parish council have a copy if you still haven't had chance to view the documents.

Since the last LDF consultation in 2009 the documents have changed considerably because of the responses from the public then, and because of changes in government policy, Rotherham is currently proposing significant reductions to not only its housing target but also the employment land required and therefore the amount of Green Belt that would need to be released.

The annual housing target has been reduced by 27 per cent to 850 new homes per year. A new local target of 12,750 new homes across the Borough to be built between 2012 and 2027. The figure previously considered was 24,482 new homes.

In addition, the employment land target has been reduced by 30 per cent with around 230 hectares being proposed for new economic development and a further five hectares for new office floorspace.

The amount of Green Belt now proposed to be released has been reduced by 60 per cent and a policy to protect greenbelt land and promote brownfield development is detailed within the documents for consideration.

Karl Battersby, Strategic Director for Environment and Development Services for Rotherham Borough Council, urged people who have not yet responded, to make their views known.

He said: "I am keen to see that our plans for the Borough are clearly debated so that we ensure the best results for Rotherham as a whole. We all need to work together to create a Local Development Framework that matches the needs of people and businesses in the future. And this is not the end of the process. We will be going back out next year to the public to discuss the individual sites in more detail."

If you have not already made your views known then you can do so by either using the online consultation system which can be accessed from Rotherham Borough Council's website at

The documents are also available for inspection at the enclosed venues during office hours:

* Bailey House, Rawmarsh Road, Rotherham

* Customer Service Centre, Civic Building, Walker Place, Rotherham

* Customer Service Centre, Station Street, Swinton

* Customer Service Centre, New Street, Dinnington

* Customer Service Centre, Braithwell Road, Maltby

* All libraries in the Borough (normal opening times)

www.rotherham.gov.uk/forwardplanning or in writing to be received by 5pm on Friday, September 16, at RMBC, Forward Planning, Planning and Regeneration Service, Bailey House, Rawmarsh Road, ROTHERHAM S60 1TD.