Local Plan drop-in sessions taking place across the borough

The face-to-face events are a chance for people to join the conversation on how they want to see their borough grow over the next 20 years. They will begin next Wednesday January 24 and continue throughout February.

The names of all residents of the borough who respond to the consultations from now until Friday 8 March will go into a draw to win £100 of shop local vouchers.

The North East Lincolnshire Local Plan provides a framework for future use of land across the borough. Legislation requires that the council has a Local Plan, and must review it every five years.

There are 156,907 people living in North East Lincolnshire right now and this eight-week consultation gives everyone a chance to get involved.

Many of the policies in the draft Plan are subject to no change or only minor changes to reflect differences in national policy. These are clearly identified in the document.

Some changes are more significant and include revisions to policies related to energy and low carbon living, green spaces and recreation, skills, and affordable housing. New policies are also being considered to recognise changing priorities, such as Green Wedges, to give greater protection to the gaps between settlements in key areas of concern.

The Draft Plan also includes options relating to future requirements for employment and housing, the distribution of sites and the site options.

Changes to the Local Plan, if approved, will not come into effect until 2026, with the existing Local Plan remaining in force until then.

The public drop-in sessions will take place at the following locations:

• Cleethorpes Library, Wednesday January 24 from 10am-1pm;
• Grimsby Library, Thursday February 1 from 2pm-5.30pm;
• Immingham Library, Saturday February 3 from 10am-1pm;
• Cleethorpes Library, Tuesday February 20 from 2pm-5.30pm;
• Immingham Library, Thursday February 22 from 1pm-4pm;
• Grimsby Library, Saturday February 24 from 9am-1pm.

Cllr Stewart Swinburn, Portfolio Holder for Environment and Transport, said: “It is so important that everyone who lives in the local area gets the opportunity to contribute to the review of our Local Plan because it affects everyone.

“There are so many ways to engage with the consultation process but if you want to come along to our drop-in sessions and chat to people face-to-face and see the plan then please take advantage of these drop-in events.”

The Local Plan is also available to view now by visiting the web-based consultation portal https://nelincs-consult.objective.co.uk/kse/

Other ways to take part:

• To read an overview and more explanations go to www.nelincs.gov.uk/planning-and-building-control/planning-policy/local-plan-review/
• Email any questions or further comments to Spatialplanning@nelincs.gov.uk or write to Equans, Municipal Offices, Town Hall Square, Grimsby, DN31 1HU.
• Paper copies are available to view at: North East Lincolnshire Council, Municipal Offices reception; Gingerbread House, Humberston; Scartho Community Hub; Grimsby Library; Waltham Library; Immingham Library and Cleethorpes Library.
• Paper copies of the Draft Plan are also available to print out on request from the Planning Department at Equans, Municipal Offices Town Hall Square, Grimsby, DN31 1HU. A charge will be made to cover the cost of printing.
• A wide range of face-to-face events on the draft review will take place over the coming weeks. You can email any questions in advance to spatialplanning@nelincs.gov.uk