This document marks the second stage in the production of the Core Strategy (following on form the first 'Issues and Options' stage which can be seen under the 'supporting documents' tab in the 'resource centre' below). Known as the 'Preferred Options' stage , it identifies the Council's 'preferred options' or chosen policy approach. The document is not yet a 'draft plan'; instead, it indicates the broad direction in which the council intends to develop policy. The 'Preferred Options' draft was agreed by Cabinet on the 21 January 2008 and was open for public consultation from 18 February until 31 March.
Although the consultation has now finished the Preferred Options document can be seen by following the 'read document' link below.
All of the comments have now been considered and responded to by the Planning Policy Team. The comments and responses can be viewed alongside the document - each comment against the relevant chapter or paragraph. To search for a specific comment use the 'who said what' link on the top right of this page to search by comment, consultee or agent. Comments can also be viewed in paper copy at Watford Town Hall Customer Service Centre (open 8.30am -5.30pm Mon – Fri, excluding bank holidays) and at both libraries in the Borough during normal opening hours.
Please note that the responses have been prepared by officers and have not gone through any formal council process at present. As such they have no formal status but give an indication of changes likely to be made and further work to be done.
Next Steps:
We recognise that the Preferred Options consultation was not able to contain the level of detail we would have liked in some areas due to delays in the completion of several studies crucial to our evidence base. This was commented on by a number of respondents. We are in fact still awaiting receipt of several of these studies from our appointed consultants. The Government has recently published new regulations and guidance on the preparation of LDFs which we will also need to take on board. With this in mind, we are reviewing the timetable for progressing the Local Development Framework (LDF) currently set out in the Local Development Scheme (LDS). Because of the significant amount of work to be done there may be a further informal stage of consultation and discussion before we progress to submission stage. We will keep you informed accordingly.
All comments made will be used to inform progress of the Core Strategy towards submission to the Secretary of State. Once we reach this stage there will be, as a minimum, a further 6 week consultation. There will then be a Public Examination held by an independent inspector. Once any necessary changes have been made the Core Strategy will then be formally adopted and its policies will come into effect, replacing some of those in the current Watford District Plan.
