Barnsley Council could formally begin work this week on a completely new Local Plan. Cabinet is being asked to approve the start of the process which will eventually determine where future homes, employment sites, roads, schools, services and protected land should be located across the borough.
The council says major changes to national planning policy mean a new plan is now required. Its proposed approach is brownfield first.
But council leader William Brown says there simply isn't enough brownfield land available to meet Government housing requirements. That means Green Belt development will have to form part of the debate.
Early public consultation is currently proposed for January 2027, with adoption of the finished plan targeted for September 2029. No individual Green Belt site is being approved this week. This is the start of a process which could shape Barnsley for decades.
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Source: Barnsley Council