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Core Strategy

Core Strategy

The Core Strategy will set out the overall spatial planning framework for the city, including the vision, objectives and strategic policies for the future. It deals with the over-arching planning strategy, rather than site specific or detailed development management matters.

Early engagement

The City Council began discussing what needed to be in the Issues and Options report with a number of its partners in the Autumn of 2005. This involved working closely with the Coventry Partnership (LSP), the Coventry Community Empowerment Network and other well-established networks and forums including; Coventry By Design and the Residents Liaison Group. This helped to identify issues for the Core Strategy. This process led to an independently facilitated "visioning event" in January 2006, which aimed to develop a vision and objectives for the Core Strategy. A written (PDF, 94kb) and photo (PDF, 8Mb) report of this event are available to download.

Issues and Options Report - May 2006

The first stage in the preparation of the Core Strategy is the Issues and Options (PDF, 944Kb) Report, which identifies the issues to be included in the Core Strategy and what the strategic planning options could be. The report was available for widespread consultation from 19th May 2006 through to 30th June 2006, and included a draft vision and objectives for the city. It posed questions on various spatial planning issues and options that are required to be considered in planning for the future.

Feedback from 2006 consultation

A draft summary of responses (PDF, 101kb) to the 2006 consultation has been published. Some of the comments made then will inform the next stage of the Core Strategy. Others will be taken on board as progress is made on later stages of the Core Strategy.

The Council's next consultation document "Core Strategy: the Options" contains a statement (Para 1.3) that this summary indicates general support for pursuing a growth strategy. This interpretation has been questioned and the Council accepts that feedback indicated a mix of views about pursuing a growth strategy

Core Strategy: The Options - July 2007

This interim options document focuses on the choices that could shape the future of the city and looks to highlight the characteristics of the city that make it ready for growth. These choices reflect an assessment of possibilities: clearly views are welcome on other alternatives.

It is vital that local people, from individuals to businesses and larger organisations, have their say and help lay the foundations for the city’s future. Consistent with the Council’s Statement of Community Involvement we are also seeking to work with partners and key stakeholders and to
engage with communities in formulating proposals.

The deadline for submitting comments to Core Strategy Options document ended on the 31 October 2007.

Coventry's Future - Core Strategy: The Options (PDF, 850kB)

Feedback from 2007 Consultation

The following are the detailed comments received during the consultation on The Options which took place in 2007. The responses are listed in relation to the questions on which comments were invited: A - growth of the city; B - employment; C - housing mix; D - city centre; E - transport; F - neighbourhood centres; G - environment; H - housing density; I - waste.

Feedback from 2007 Consultation (PDF, 340kb)

Sustainability Appraisal

A suite of Sustainability Appraisal reports are available to view and download that accompany each stage of the Core Strategy process. These include:

Emerging Core Strategy - November 2008

The emerging strategy (PDF, 15Mb) outlines how the Council intends to take the Core Strategy forward. It shows the main policy directions and how these fit in with national and regional frameworks. You can now view and download the results of the feedback to this consultation process.

Proposed Submission Document - March 2009

The Core Strategy proposed submission document is the latest stage in the preparation of the Core Strategy. As shown above, the Issues and Options document was published in May 2006. This was followed by a further Options document in July 2007 and the Emerging Strategy in November 2008. Each document has been available for public consultation and comments, sustainability appraisal, new evidence and changes to national and regional policy have been taken into account in moving from one stage to the next.

The "Proposed Submission Document" is the last opportunity for consultation prior to Examination in Public in later in 2009.

Submission and Examination

After considering the representations made during the period of statutory consultation, the City Council approved the submission of the Core Strategy for independent examination on 29 June 2009.

For further information about the Examination, please use the link below.

Core Strategy Examination

Inspector's interim report for the City Centre

The Inspector, Mr Nigel Payne, has issued his interim report in respect of the City Centre. The Inspector concludes that the submitted DPD is sound in respect of the policies and proposals for the City Centre, including policies SG19 and SG20. However, he has made four recommendations for minor changes of wording in response to representations received and arising from the debates at the examination hearings to ensure clarity and consistency. The Inspector's report following examination of the Core Strategy is expected at the end of April. Any queries relating to this interim report should be addressed to the Programme Officer, Anne Lynch, on 02476 831223 or Jim Newton (Principal Planner, Development Plans) on 02476 831187.

What happens next?

Shortly after the Inspector publishes his report, which is expected at the end of April, the City Council will adopt the Core Strategy. This is expected to be in the Summer of 2010. The first stage of the process is that the Joint Policy Team will 'fact check'  the Inspector's report, and bring any inaccuracies or points that the Council wishes to clarify to his attention. This must be completed within 2 weeks of receipt of the report. Shortly after the Council has sent its response to the Inspector, he will issue his final report. This will be published on the Council's web site, if you wish to be notified of receipt of the report please contact Matt Rossi on tel: 024 7683 1341, or email matthew.rossi@coventry.gov.uk

The next step is then for the Full Council to formally "Adopt" the Core Strategy, with the Inspector's changes incorporated into it: this means it officially replaces the Coventry Development Plan 2001. The process takes a number of weeks, and the dates for Council meetings have not yet been set, but we currently anticipate that the Council will "Adopt" the Core Strategy in July or August. The Council will place an advertisement in the Coventry Telegraph, as well as ensuring a copy of the Core Strategy is made available for public inspection at all libraries in Coventry, as soon as it has been "Adopted". It will also write to people who have participated in the process, or who have otherwise specifically asked to be notified of the Plan's "Adoption".

The Inspector's report is binding upon the Council, which means that there is no discretion to accept or reject his changes.

Contact details

Joint Policy Team
Civic Centre 4
Much Park Street
Coventry, CV1 2PY
Telephone: 024 7683 1187
e-mail: localdevelopmentframework@coventry.gov.uk

Downloadable documents

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