Whenever I speak with residents, I hear how much people value the character of their local area and how strongly they feel about protecting it, writes Steven Broadbent leader of Buckinghamshire Council.

I share that sentiment, and as a council, our goal is to preserve Buckinghamshire’s unique character while supporting sustainable and appropriate growth. We must ensure that future generations have access to the homes, jobs and infrastructure they need to thrive.

The Government requires Buckinghamshire to plan for around 91,000 new homes. This is a phenomenal number, and we understand people are worried about what it means for their community. While these targets are set nationally, it’s our legal responsibility to set out how growth is managed locally. That’s why having a Local Plan is so important. Without one, we’d face greater risk of speculative development, potential national government intervention by ministers and significantly less control over where development takes place.

Our draft Local Plan has been informed by years of engagement, detailed investigations and technical assessments to determine the suitability of sites that have been proposed through the process. We’ve now reached the final stage of consultation before submitting our plan to the Government.

A key priority, and one residents have consistently highlighted, is protecting cherished Buckinghamshire. That’s why our draft plan doesn’t allocate any new housing or employment sites within the Green Belt. Instead, we’re taking a brownfield-first approach, with around 13,500 homes expected to come from redevelopment opportunities in town centres, on previously developed land and in locations close to well-connected railway stations.

Infrastructure must go hand in hand with growth. New development should be supported by investment in roads, transport, schools, healthcare, utilities, community facilities and green spaces. We’ve identified more than 500 infrastructure projects requiring at least £6 billion of investment. I’ve written to our local MPs calling for collaboration in seeking Government support to secure this funding, as housing growth at this scale can’t be left to developer funding alone.

Providing access to affordable housing is another key part of our ambition. We’re proposing a tailored approach that allocates a high, 60% social rent policy to ensure affordable options are available.

This consultation is the final opportunity to comment. I encourage everyone to take a look and have their say.

www.buckinghamshire.gov.uk/local-plan