Rushcliffe Borough Council have released the latest draft of the plan for housing and industrial land allocation in our area. A weighty tome, the key pieces of information are the maps showing land to be allocated and once these areas are allotted outline planning permission is pretty much a formality (the detailed permissions would however be open to challenge) and equally important land not allocated (except for bits and bobs) will have a presumption against being built on for the foreseeable future (unless a government ups housing targets).

Have not had a chance to look in detail, but I don`t think any obvious designated wildlife sites are directly effected, but we will need to pore over the maps. What is quite good news is that the land to the west of Sharphill Wood seems not to have been allocated so hopefully the wood will get completely surrounded, which is a worry.  Of course chunks of countryside adjacent to many Rushcliffe towns and villages will be built on, but under National Planning guidelines the choice is pretty much not if, but where. In addition RBC have put in policies that should help protect designated wildlife sites and green corridors. Of course the devil is in the details and any policy on any topic always contains caveats.

Notts Wildlife Trust and Rushcliffe Nature Conservation Strategy Implementation Group (RNCSIG) will be taking a look at the allocated sites and nature conservation policies and commenting, both on issues of concern and also supporting policies etc that we think are reasonable. If you want to know more please follow this link to the RBC web site
Home > Planning and Building > Planning > Planning policy > Local Plan   (the key doc is Local Plan Part 2)

But individuals have as much right to comment on the plan as groups and organizations and whilst we will limit themselves to commenting on wildlife related issues, individuals can comment on other issues of local concern. You can be sure building companies will be commenting on the local plan to try to shape it to their benefit.

There will be a Public Enquiry in due course and any comments must be in to RBC by Thurs 28th June.