A multi-billion-pound plan to transform the future development of County Durham will start again, seven years after the process first began.
A new consultation exercise will be carried out by the local authority, which expects to submit a new report to Government by December 2017.
Durham County Council withdrew its previous plan after it was labelled “over-ambitious” by an independent inspector.
Though the inspector’s report was quashed by the High Court, the council said it would start the plan again.
The old plan had been to build 31,400 homes and create 30,000 jobs by 2030.
The cabinet is being asked to confirm the new plan when it meets next week.
Work on the old plan started in 2009 but last year inspector Harold Stephens said it was “unsound” and assumptions about job growth were “very ambitious”.
In a report to the cabinet, corporate director of regeneration Ian Thompson said there would be three stages to the new plan, which would cover the period until 2033.
He also said the information used to draw up the old plan would need “updating” and there would be public consultations with a view to submitting the new plan to the government in December 2017.
Neil Foster, Durham County Council’s cabinet member for economic regeneration (pictured above), said: “The council and its partners fought for the plan because we believed that it was essential in ensuring that our county did not get left behind.
“The position we now find ourselves in is unique so we are extremely pleased to announce that, after a lot of hard work, we now have a way forward for the County Durham Plan.
“By ensuring we understand the issues and options available we can be sure that we have a firm foundation to work together with all parties in creating a plan that no longer has to be bound by a report that restricted the debate and thinking moving forward.
“We would like to thank those who supported us during this time and look forward to working with residents, businesses and all stakeholders in creating a new County Durham Plan that secures the future of our county for years to come.”
To ensure consistency while the County Durham Plan process is ongoing, Cabinet will also be asked to approve a policy position statement.
The statement will provide guidance in respect of existing policies and national guidelines and the weight they will have when planning applications are determined.
As part of the council’s responsibilities to regularly review how residents, businesses and other stakeholders play a part in planning issues, members are also being asked to approve consultation on the 2016 Statement of Community Involvement.
This statement sets out how the council ensures that people can get involved in all aspects of the planning processes including the County Durham Plan, neighbourhood plans and the planning application process.
Residents can find out the latest about the County Durham Plan, as well as the Statement of Community Involvement consultation at www.durham.gov.uk/CDP.
Cabinet is due to meet on Wednesday, 6th April at 10am, at the Council Offices in Spennymoor.
