Working in partnership with Planning Aid Wales, the National Park Authority has already invited local community and town councillors to a series of workshops designed to explain the new Local Development Plan (LDP) and how it can help meet the individual needs of local communities.
The new LDP will replace the older-style Unitary Development Plan (UDP) in 2011 and is currently being produced by the National Park Authority in consultation with the public, key stakeholders and partner organisations. Apart from being easier to understand, the policies contained in the LDP will guide all future development across the National Park. It is hoped that the series of workshops will help engage local people and give communities a greater understanding of the planning framework for the area covered by the National Park.
Chris Morgan, Head of Planning Services for Bannau Brycheiniog National Park Authority said: “These workshops have been funded using monies from the Planning Improvement Grant from the Welsh Assembly Government and are tailor-made to emphasise the importance of community council involvement from the early stages of the development plan process.
“Community councils have a key role in speaking up for the communities they represent and we would love them to contribute to our workshops at a local level and find out more about how the National Park Authority can help them.
“After this initial programme of workshops we will also be offering all community and town councils an opportunity to meet with the Strategy and Policy team. These meetings will allow locally important community issues to be highlighted and discussed in detail with planning officers.”