The Plan for Stafford Borough has been produced in several stages with on-going consultation and sustainability appraisal at each stage.
Development Strategy and Principles for Settlement Development
In 2008 these initial stages identified different scenarios for development, ranging from all development at Stafford, to equal dispersal across a range of settlements. It also established the three key categories of sustainable settlements.
- Plan for Stafford Borough: Borough Wide Development Strategy (pdf 307kb)
- Plan for Stafford Borough: Technical Appendices (pdf 3.1mb)
- Plan for Stafford Borough: Principles for Settlement Development (pdf 543kb)
Issues and Options
In 2009 this stage established a vision, objectives and proposed development locations. At the time the Regional Spatial Strategy was being considered and there was a chance the housing allocations for Stafford Borough could increase.
- Plan for Stafford Borough: Issues and Options Summary (pdf 15.3mb)
- Plan for Stafford Borough: Issues and Options (pdf 33mb)
Draft Core Policies
In 2010 this stage set out a range of proposed planning policies, some site specific and some topic based.
Local Choices
In May 2010, the Government signalled its intention to abolish the West Midlands Regional Spatial Strategy. As a result of this significant policy change, the Council consulted on the approach to be taken.
Draft Publication and Strategic Policy Choices
In 2011/2012 these stages set out the final wording of proposed policies. Following the publication of the National Planning Policy Framework, slight changes were made to the Plan for Stafford Borough to inform conformity with the new national requirements. These were consulted on in summer 2013.
Submission
In August 2013 the Council submitted the Plan for Stafford Borough to the Secretary of State for Independent Examination.
Main Modifications
Following the hearing sessions, and the receipt of the Inspectors Recommendations for Further Main Modifications (pdf 109kb) the Council produced and consulted on a schedule of Main Modifications.
Adoption
The Council received the Inspector's Final Report (pdf 368kb) on 11 June 2013, and the Plan for Stafford Borough (pdf 15.8mb) was adopted by the Council on the 19 June 2014.