THE findings of the initial consultation on a key council document which will shape the future of development in the area will be revealed next month.

BCP Council’s cabinet is set to receive an update on the BCP Local Plan following the issues and options consultation, which took place between January and March this year.

The local authority refused a request from the Daily Echo to confirm how many people took part in the consultation, which was criticised by some due to its complexity and largely online.

A report is likely to be presented to cabinet members when they meet on July 27, however, it is not currently available.

The cabinet forward plan states that the BCP Local Plan Update and Local Development Scheme (LDS) revision will be presented.

The LDS sets out the timeline for the Local Plan production. The council refused to confirm what the proposed revision was ahead of the cabinet report being published.

BCP Council previously stated that after the issues and options consultation, it would produce a draft Local Plan, which would go out for public feedback.

The most recent timeline stated the local authority expected to submit its Local Plan to the Secretary of State in spring next year before an independent planning inspector examines it in detail in autumn 2023.

This would have seen the policy document potential in place to inform decisions on planning applications from early 2024.

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