Three consultations planned to create Local Plan
GoogleThe first of three planned consultations has begun ahead of an updated Local Plan for a county being unveiled in 2029.
Durham County Council has asked residents and businesses for their views on a range of subjects ahead of the closing date of 17 August.
It said areas being explored included housing, jobs and the local economy, transport, the environment, communities facilities, local services and health and quality of life.
Following a series of further processes, consultations and approvals, the resulting plan would be adopted from March 2029.
A Local Plan examines how a place will develop over the next 15 years.
The current County Durham Plan was adopted in 2020 and sets out development proposals and planning policies that could last until 2035.
However, national guidelines say they need to be reviewed every five years after their implementation to assess any need to update.
The almost 300-page document shows proposed locations for housing to meet government targets and protects more than 250,000 hectares of the county's natural landscape.
Reform UK council leader Andrew Husband said: "Local knowledge can help us understand what might work well, and what might not, in different parts of County Durham.
"Growth can be achieved in a myriad of ways and that's why it's important that we get feedback on how residents feel it can be best implemented."
