New Forest District Council is giving residents the opportunity to feedback on planning options which will affect future locations for commercial and industrial development.

The Employment Development Plan Document (EDPD) - Options and Preferred Options, has been produced for public consultation and is now available for feedback until the 8 December 2006.

The EDPD will set the planning policy for creating employment opportunities, and for meeting the needs of local businesses over the next fifteen years, by deciding how buildings and sites used for commercial and/or industrial purposes. It also deals with agricultural, horticultural and forestry development and identifies land for potential new business developments. The plan does not deal with land use within the New Forest National Park boundary.

Cllr Jeremy Heron, portfolio holder for economy and planning said the document is a result of a thorough look at the district’s economy.

“A huge amount of work looking at the district’s economy and the likely future needs of local businesses has gone into the documents,” he said. “The proposals outline a broad range of planning options which have been developed since beginning the EDPD, and the council’s preferred options, which are the choices the council feels would benefit the New Forest.”

However, Cllr Heron said nothing is set in stone. “The options are there for public comments, which will prove vital in deciding the planning strategy,” he said. “We are seeking feedback on both the broad planning options, and the ones NFDC is keen to take.

“This is the chance for residents who are interested in the Forest’s businesses and future employment opportunities to make their opinions heard.”    

Full documents and ways to comment are available on the council’s website, www.newforest.gov.uk, or if a hard copy is preferred, contact James Ives, NFDC planning officer on 023 8028 5349.