Councillors will be asked to agree the timetable for the County Durham Plan process to resume when they meet on 15 November.
The process was paused in December 2016 due to expected changes in the calculation of housing numbers in a forthcoming Government white paper.
Durham County Council has always been committed to bringing forward a plan as soon as possible to continue the county’s economic growth and build on the momentum seen over the past five years. This has seen several high profile investments, such as the current redevelopment of Durham City’s riverside, and a number of major employers moving to the county, including Hitachi, ResQ and Atom Bank among many others.
With some information on housing numbers having been released, the council’s Cabinet is being asked to approve a timetable to resume the process. While the council is aware that resuming the process without the full guidance in place has some risks, positive conversations continue with the Government. The council will also continue to monitor developments and has put forward a timescale to allow for further policy changes.
A report to Cabinet also includes the council’s response to the Government’s consultation, Planning for the Right Homes in the Right Places, asking for further clarity and the need to align housing requirements with the county’s aspirations for economic growth to ensure that particular challenges in the north east are recognised.
