THE PUBLIC may get an extra chance to have their say on the future of housing in the borough.
Councillors are to be asked to consider extending the Local Plan’s consultation period, due to end this week, at a meeting next Tuesday (November 15).
It comes amid public demands to extend the consultation period, which was agreed by a full council vote in June.
Councillors will be asked whether to continue developing the plan without further consultation, or to undertake a further six week consultation starting on November 30.
Rugby Borough Council growth and investment spokeswoman Coun Heather Timms said: “The current Local Plan consultation closes this week and through the numerous meetings I have attended and correspondence we have received, it is apparent that Rugby residents want more time to consider the proposals and respond accordingly.
“Unfortunately, neither I nor any officer have the power to overturn a decision of Council and that is why we are taking this paper to Council suggesting that we extend the consultation.
“We are listening to residents and if Council extends this consultation period, we will continue to receive representations, while engaging further with those residents who feel they are affected the most.”
Council leader Coun Michael Stokes said: “The Local Plan is probably one of the most difficult tasks a council has to undertake – it’s a fine balancing act of ensuring we have the growth we need, coupled with the infrastructure required.
“We operate within a very prescriptive set of rules set by central Government. At the end of this consultation, the outcome has to stand up to a Government inspector’s scrutiny whilst still being potentially challenged by residents and developers.
“I’d like to thank Coun Timms and the planning team who have operated to the highest standards and worked tirelessly to represent the views of Rugby residents throughout. We take those views and challenges very seriously.
“I have attended several meetings with local MPs, Ministers and Civil Servants to ensure we challenge the processes every step of the way and will continue to do so.”
If councillors decide on a further consultation period, correspondence received between the two consultation periods will also be taken into account.
