A CONSULTATION on the Cotswold District’s development strategy, proposed housing allocations and strategic policies is being made available for public comment from this Friday to February, 27 2015.

During this period, the Local Plan document can be viewed online at at www.cotswold.gov.uk/go/ForwardPlanning and hard copies will also be available at Cotswold District Council’s Trinity Road headquarters and Moreton Area Centre office, as well as public libraries across the District.

Each town and parish council will also have copies and the public can contact any of them if they wish to view the document.

Cotswold District Council is also hosting two drop-in sessions for residents to view proposals and discuss them with the Forward Planning team, on Wednesday, January 28 at the council's Cirencester headquarters on Trinity Road and January 29 at the council’s offices in Moreton  in Moreton-in-Marsh. Both sessions will run from 2 pm to 6.30 pm.

Cllr Nick Parsons, the CDC Deputy Leader and Cabinet Member for Forward Planning, said: “The Local Plan will serve as a blueprint for development up until 2031 and we have been working closely with many stakeholders, including town and parish councils, local communities and landowners to help define the best ways to meet demanding government guidelines across a range of issues, including sustainable housing development, creating employment opportunities, infrastructure improvements and safeguarding environmental assets.”

“We realise that some of the proposals will not always be popular, but we must comply with national policy to gain approval at the inspection stage. Ahead of the forthcoming public consultation, we have compiled a list of facts to help people understand the underlying issues, and this appears in the latest edition of the district council's newletter, Cotswold News magazine which was delivered to all households in the district during the first half of December 2014 and is now also available on our website. Additionally, we have produced a leaflet which focuses specifically on proposals for the Cirencester area, and this has been distributed recently to over 12,000 homes. We very much hope that the drop-in sessions will also enable our planners to explain the rationale behind the Local Plan and to consider and discuss alternative suggestions which the public may wish to raise.”

A spokesman for the district council, Bob McNally said: "The most effective and direct way to provide comments will be via the online at www.cotswold.gov.uk/go/ForwardPlanning, which will be running during the consultation period .

"We are aware that some people may find this difficult for a variety of reasons, including poor Broadband connections, and the Council will accept input by letter (to Local Plan, Forward Planning Team, Cotswold District Council, Trinity Rd, Cirencester GL7 1 PX) or by email (to localplan@cotswold.gov.uk) We cannot guarantee, however, that comments sent to us by letter or email will always be correctly allocated or interpreted. Copies of the draft Plan will be available for inspection or purchase (£5 per copy) at the Council’s Trinity Road office and the Moreton Area Centre."