Welcome to the Swindon Local Policy Forum!

Welcome to the dedicated pages to the Swindon Local Policy Forum. The information and links provided are to assist access to information relating to the meetings and wider sources of background information relating to future planning within Swindon Borough.

The Planning and Compulsory Purchase Act 2004 introduces a new planning system and new Local Development Documents.  These are quite different from the “old style” Local Plans we all know and they start by a process of identifying issues and developing options.

The new system is challenging and everyone is learning as the processes unfold, however it does provide significant opportunities by placing emphasis on “front-loaded” consultation.  This allows very early debate and stakeholder input.

With this in mind Swindon Borough Council considers that a Forum will allow for such discussion and the outcomes will be used to inform and shape drafts of the various Development Plan Documents.  Four Local Development Plan Documents will be prepared under the new system and the Forum will consider the content of both the Issues  & Options Papers and Preferred Options Papers for all four, starting with the Swindon Central Area Action Plan.

Adams Hendry is very excited to be involved in facilitating the Local Policy Forum meetings in Swindon and the attendance and outcomes from the first meeting is a reflection of the wide interest of stakeholders in shaping future policies and proposals.

I cannot emphasise enough that this really is your opportunity to influence the process at this early stage in the "new" plan making system.

You will appreciate that we have a great deal to get through in a relatively limited slot at the meetings and for that reason we will introduce an online discussion forum to promote further dialogue / debate between meetings. I will post some topic headings to get you started but feel free to raise any other related issues!

I look forward to our next meeting and meeting you all on 21st June 2006.

If you have any queries or questions regarding the Forum please do not hesitate to contact me on 01962 877 414 or m.darrie@adamshendry.co.uk

Maureen Darrie
Lead Facilitator Director,
Adams Hendry Consulting Ltd.