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Have your say on local plans

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St Helens Council wants to hear residents’ views on the forthcoming St Helens Local Plan – and on the final version of the Bold Forest Park Area Action Plan.

The new Local Plan will help the council assess planning applications and identify areas where development is appropriate. The council wants to hear what issues are important to residents, organisations and businesses, which policies the plan should include and which sites – in urban areas and the Green Belt – should be developed or protected.

Councillor John Fulham, Cabinet Member for Employment, Planning and Growth, said: “The Local Plan sets clear ambitions for the council to follow over the coming years, progressing our vision of a vibrant, desirable and prosperous St Helens to live in, work in and visit.

“Residents and businesses are central to our plan, making public consultation an important step in shaping a shared vision. We all have great passion and pride for St Helens Borough and I encourage residents’ contributions to help set the planning agenda for the next decade or more.”

Suggestions will be considered by the council when preparing its Preferred Options Local Plan – to be published for public consultation this autumn.

The council has also reached the final stage of preparation for the Bold Forest Park Area Action Plan, which aims to encourage recreation, leisure and economic growth in the area around Bold and Sutton.

Council Leader Barrie Grunewald, said: “The time is now opportune to build on the environmental enhancements already made to make the area contribute more fully to the future of St Helens and attract investment.

“The vision for the Forest Park is to provide a high quality setting to stimulate tourism and provide a platform for local businesses to grow and develop and for the establishment of new businesses. The area will also provide opportunity for a diverse range of outdoor activity to create a critical mass of activity that the local economy will thrive upon.”

Residents, organisations and businesses with an interest in the area are now being asked if they formally support the plan before it is submitted to the Government who will appoint an independent planning inspector to examine it.

There is also the opportunity for residents to participate in examination hearing sessions set to take place this summer. Once it is found sound, the council will be able to put the plan into action.

To respond to the consultations, the council asks that you fill in the official response forms. These, along with the other consultation documents for both plans will be available at all council libraries, St Helens Town Hall and online at www.sthelens.gov.uk/planningpolicy.

The consultation period starts on 20 January 2016 and will run for six weeks – until noon on 2 March.

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