People in Eden have the chance to shape the future of the authority’s planning decisions and help protect the environment.
Eden District Council will carry out a partial review of the Eden Local Plan, and said it wants residents, businesses and stakeholders to answer some big questions.
It said: “The council needs your views and ideas about how planning decisions in Eden need to change, to help improve design in Eden and protect the local environment.”
The questions being consulted on include:
- How important is it to reduce the risk of flooding?
- Should solar panels be installed as standard on all new buildings?
- What is it about your part of Eden that makes it so special?
- Should new developments provide electric vehicle charging options?
- How important is it to protect local wildlife habitats?
- What is it that makes good or bad design?
The Local Plan is used when assessing new planning applications in Eden.
It sets out critical planning policies, including where and how many new houses can be built, where employment land is allocated and the design and type of buildings that are encouraged.
Council leader Virginia Taylor said: “Planning is one of the most important things that Eden District Council does.
“Our Local Plan is the foundation that sets out what can be built and where.
“The current Local Plan was designed before it was fully understood that climate change and biodiversity loss were real and that we all need to do all that we can to stop them. It was also adopted without strong design policies to ensure the development of ‘beautiful’ places, valued by residents, businesses and visitors.
“We want our Local Plan to play its part in making Eden a better place to live and work for future generations.
“The views of the local community and its stakeholders are vitally important at this early stage of the review. Your opinions and ideas will inform how policies will be drafted by planning officers, so it’s essential that your voice is heard during this consultation.”
The review is being carried out to incorporate new policies into the adopted Local Plan, especially in relation to addressing climate change and strengthening the design criteria that must be met by new developments.
Eden District Council is inviting residents, businesses and organisations to respond to the consultation through a short questionnaire.
The public consultation ends at noon on Monday August 9.
