FRESH consultation on the Local Plan for Barnsley is underway.

The Local Plan is a lengthy document setting out a blueprint for housing and commercial development for the borough into the 2030s. it must be approved by a government inspector and has already been through four stages of examination hearings and several stages of public consultation.

The latest consultation is purely on the modifications which have been made in response to previous consultation responses and input from the inspector.

One of the key changes is it will seek to grow the economy by 28,840 new jobs, down from the initial 33,000, and to deliver 21,546 new homes, up from the initial 20,330.

However these new homes will be targeted more towards the more built up areas of the borough, with less emphasis on the outlying villages.

The consultation began on Friday and invites people to comment on the main modifications for the inspector’s consideration.

A council spokesman said: “This stage of consultation which runs until Tuesday August 28 is only on the main modifications, the proposed omission of sites identified for housing and safeguarded land during the examination consultation and the associated sustainability appraisal and habitats regulation assessment.

“It is not necessary to repeat comments already made on other aspects of the plan, or make comments seeking further changes to the plan as any such comments will not be considered.

“The council is also publicising a schedule of additional changes to the text and minor changes to the policies maps of the Local Plan to provide minor updates and clarification.

“These changes do not form part of the consultation but are provided for completeness.

“Once finalised, the Inspector’s report will be presented to Full Council. If the report concludes that the plan is legally compliant and sound Full Council will be asked to formally adopt it.

More information is available at the council website here and the consultation documents can be found here.