Planners are inviting Stroud residents to comment on seven options that will guide the future shape of housing and jobs in the district.

A series of public meetings, including one in Stroud, will offer the chance to find out more about how the district council could find sites for 2,000 new homes and encourage a new generation of jobs by 2026. A six-week consultation process runs until March 22nd.

The ten public meetings include one at Stroud Subscription Rooms (below) on Saturday March 13th from 10am-1pm. The other meeting concentrating on the Stroud area will be held at Nailsworth Library's Mortimer Rooms on Tuesday March 2nd from 3pm-7pm.

Stroud District Council is currently developing its Core Strategy as the basis of a new set of planning policies to guide development for housing, jobs and community facilities.

To tackle this, seven Alternative Strategies have been created. These set out different ways of providing for future development i.e. what could go where. The district council wants your views on which of the alternative strategies work best.

A mini guide that briefly outlines the seven strategy options has been produced. The 'Your district, Your future' guide is available at our town council office in London Road, from the library in Lansdown and from the Tourist Office in the Sub Rooms.

Copies can also be found at the district council offices at Ebley Mill. Alternatively the mini guide, along with the full questionnaire and consultation documents, can be downloaded at www.stroud.gov.uk/core

Full details of all the meetings and consultation can be found on the official webpage here.

The deadline for feedback is Monday 22 March 2010. Comments can be submitted online or by post.

Stroud Town councillors will be attending the public meetings in addition to a specific briefing for town councils in the coming weeks. We will discuss our formal response at a meeting on Monday March 1st.

Councillor Barbara Tait, Cabinet Member for Development at the district council, said: 'We are facing a challenge to ensure that future growth is managed in a sustainable way and takes account of climate change.  We need to make provision for homes; jobs and community facilities, whilst at the same time protect our natural environment. The input from residents is crucial in helping us put together a long-term sustainable strategy. SDC wants to create a future that meets all the needs of the community and allows the district to prosper.'

Article added online on Monday February 8th 2010

Pictures by Andy Read