RESIDENTS in South Gloucestershire are being asked to give their views as the council begins consulting on a major policy document.

The new South Gloucestershire Local Plan will guide development in the area from 2018 to 2036 and will be used when making decisions on planning applications.

The consultation lasts for six weeks until February 23 and people are being asked for their feedback and to let South Gloucestershire Council know what they feel should be included in the plan.

More detail on the document is available at southglos.gov.uk/newlocalplanprospectus

Planning, transport and strategic environment lead member Cllr Colin Hunt said: “We would like to encourage everyone who lives and works in the area to comment on our new Local Plan prospectus.

“It is important that we have up to date local plan policies to determine planning applications against, so please get involved, have your say and let us know what you think should be included.”

Last year, in partnership with three neighbouring authorities, the council published the latest stage of the Joint Spatial Plan as well as the ‘Joint Transport Vision Summary’ document. These set out the overall amount of residential and employment development required, and where it should be located across the West of England, along with the West of England’s vision to address current transport issues and how best to deal with the impact of future growth for the next 20 years.

The Joint Spatial Plan will ultimately provide the strategic context covering the period up to 2036, which the new local plan will need to comply with.

This means that the amount and locations of new housing and employment set out in the Joint Spatial Plan which relate to South Gloucestershire will need to be included in and delivered through the new local plan.

Both plans, upon their adoption, will be used by the council to determine planning applications.