South Gloucestershire Council is consulting the public on a new thirty-year plan for housing in the area. The council's new housing strategy, which has now been released, sets out their plans and rules for planning and building accommodation in the coming years.
As part of the strategy, the council says it is committing to new homes which "will play a role in responding to the climate and nature emergencies, promote individual and family health and wellbeing, as well as helping to deliver equal opportunities for existing and new residents." It also promises that all new housing, regeneration and retrofitting of existing homes in South Gloucestershire must achieve net zero carbon impact by 2030.
South Gloucestershire Council cabinet member with responsibility for the housing strategy, councillor Ben Stokes, said: “In 30 years’ time we want everyone in South Gloucestershire to live in a healthy, affordable, low energy and low carbon, climate resilient home that meets their needs. And we want those homes to be in safe, sustainable, and thriving local communities which are accessible to everyone.
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“To help make that future a reality, we need to set out our vision clearly now, and then use it as a guide to inform the detailed plans and decisions that will be need to taken going forward. I think the whole community can come together around the idea that we need to grow sustainably, according to not just a plan but a vision, to make safe and secure housing available to all.
"We all need a home that meets our needs and contributes positively to the communities and neighbourhoods where we live. We want to talk to and hear from residents to refine what should be a shared vision for the future of South Gloucestershire.
"We want local people to read and understand this strategy, to let us know what it means to them, so that together we can make plans for generations to come.”
The council says that while the strategy's scope covers the next thirty years, it will be routinely reviewed throughout that time to allow them to adapt to changing views, planning laws and priorities.
The public are currently being asked for their opinions on this, and two online events are taking place on Wednesday 6 July, between 12-1PM and 5-6PM. These will be recorded and available for people to watch on demand afterwards.
Feedback from the consultation will help to improve a final version of the Housing Strategy, which will be presented to the council to approve in the first half of 2023.
To read the draft Housing Strategy and take part in the consultation, click here. To take part in the online drop-in briefings via Teams, click here.
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