Issue - meetings

(i)        That the summary of the main issues raised to the consultation on the First Draft Local Plan which took place from the 19 June to the 14 August 2023 and the Council’s initial response as set out in the Consultation Report (Appendix 1), be noted. 

(ii)       That the Deputy Chief Executive, in consultation with the Strategic Planning Portfolio Holder, be authorised to recommend to Council at its meeting on the 24 July 2024 that it approves the Final Draft Local Plan (at Regulation 19 stage), the Sustainability Appraisal, Habitats Regulation Assessment and supporting documentation for public consultation in line with the approved Local Development Scheme.

(iii)      That, subject to the outcome of consultation, and if no matters are raised that materially impact upon the Plan strategy, the Deputy Chief Executive in consultation with the Strategic Planning Portfolio Holder be authorised to submit the Final Draft Local Plan and supporting documents to the Secretary of State for formal examination by the end of 2024.

The Portfolio Holder for Strategic Planning introduced the report on the Borough Local Plan consultation which went beyond what was required and generated a lot of material that officers were working on extracting. While there had been some update to the National Planning Policy Framework none were to affect the plan making process. The housing numbers dropped to four years rather than five years which was to be seen as a reward to getting on with the plan. Expert advice was taken on how to calculate that. A proposal about strategic employment sites was to be included at a later stage.

The Leader reminded Cabinet of the risks of uncontrolled growth in the absence of a local plan along with the timescales with the adoption of the plan to be brought to full Council in July. The Deputy Leader echoed the fact that no local plan wouldn’t mean less housing and that it could in fact be quite the opposite.

Resolved:     (i) That the summary of the main issues raised to the consultation on the First Draft Local Plan which took place from the 19 June to the 14 August 2023 and the Council’s initial response as set out in the Consultation Report (Appendix 1), be noted. 

(ii) That the Deputy Chief Executive, in consultation with the Strategic Planning Portfolio Holder, be authorised to recommend to Council at its meeting on the 24 July 2024 that it approves the Final Draft Local Plan (at Regulation 19 stage), the Sustainability Appraisal, Habitats Regulation Assessment and supporting documentation for public consultation in line with the approved Local Development Scheme.

(iii) That, subject to the outcome of consultation, and if no matters are raised that materially impact upon the Plan strategy, the Deputy Chief Executive in consultation with the Strategic Planning Portfolio Holder be authorised to submit the Final Draft Local Plan and supporting documents to the Secretary of State for formal examination by the end of 2024.

Watch the debate here