The deadline for local residents to submit their responses to Council’s draft Core Strategy is this coming Friday, January 15th.
It was pointed out at the outset back in November by myself and others that the consultation period had been scheduled to run over Christmas, and in fairness to the Council they have allowed a few days longer for consultation than the statutory minimum.
However in view of the recent atrocious weather, and the unprecedented public concern about a number of the proposals contained within the document, it seems only right to extend the consultation period so that all Salford residents have the opportunity to submit their comments.
I know that in many parts of Salford the post has been unreliable, and the minds of local people have rightly been elsewhere. I would hate to see submissions ruled out-of-order simply because they were posted within the deadline but did not arrive.
Ideally the consultation period should be extended by a couple of weeks, but at the very least I’m seeking a few days’ grace so that any held-up submissions can be accepted.
I’m also continuing to hear disappointing reports about the failure of the “Life In Salford” magazine to be distributed properly. This was the Council’s main method of communication with regard to the Core Strategy and if the magazine was not delivered as promised then this clearly merits a consultation extension in itself.
Don’t forget to have your say – visit the Council’s Core Strategy website to submit your comments.
With regard to the final submission date for comments. I am not sure what it means but according the draft core strategy timing, even once the core strategy is published in August 2010 there will be a 6 week period when comments will be invited. Iain, could you explain what exactly does this mean? Can the public comment after August 2010 and will those comments be taken into consideration before the core strategy is submitted to the secretary of state in November 2010? Also, from Feb – Match 2011 there will be a public examination. Can you explain what this means please?
Regards, Wendy.
Iain, with regard to the final submission date. I am not sure what it means but according the draft core strategy timing plan even once the core strategy is published in August 2010 there will be a 6 week period when comments will be invited. Also, after the submission to the secretary of state in November 2010 there will be a public examination in February-March 2011. Does this mean that comments can be made after 15th January and if so will they be taken into consideration? Maybe you could clarify exactly what this means? Eddie.
The comments from this consultation will be (hopefully) taken into consideration and the next draft of the Core Strategy will be produced this summer. The full Council will then vote on the Strategy.
This document will be subject to a further consultation (as you rightly point out) and those comments will form part of the public examination. However the public examination is not a full public enquiry but is designed to test whether the document is “sound” – that is, is it legal and does it follow planning policy at a higher level – rather than an examination of policy itself.
So – yes you will have another opportunity to comment BUT the scope for argument will be much more limited than it is at this current stage of consultation.
Hope that helps!
Iain,
Have you seen this video?
http://www.salfordonline.com/salfordvideos.php?func=viewdetails&vdetails=17679
There must still be thousands who do not know about the Core Strategy.
The Council should do the right thing now and extend the consultation period so that more people can have a say on this Core Strategy.
Eddie
Sorry Iain, I have been leaving you the wrong e-mail address.