Decision details

RESOLVED – That:

(1)          the challenging timescales set out in the report, and that this relied upon maintaining the necessary resources, securing input from third parties and both timely and efficient decision making at key stages, be noted.

(2)          the timetable for the preparation of the new Local Plan be approved and tasks the Local Plan Working Group with regular monitoring and reporting on progress against key milestones.

(3)          The Local Development Scheme take effect, authorising its publication and that it shall have effect from 25 November 2024.

REASONS FOR DECISION - To enable the Council to progress with plan making with the aim of achieving submission of the Local Plan by December 2026 in line with the Government’s proposed transitional arrangements.  This would enable the Council to get an up-to-date plan in place at the earliest opportunity and limit the Council’s exposure to ad hoc speculative development.  In order for the scheme to take effect Cabinet must formally resolve that the scheme was to have effect and specify the date from which it was to have effect.

OTHER OPTIONS CONSIDERED AND REJECTED – The Council was obliged by the 2004 Planning & Compulsory Purchase Act (Section 15) as amended, to publish and keep up to date a Local Development Scheme (LDS).  Therefore, there was no alternative over whether, or not to produce an LDS.  

In terms the timescale for the review of the Council’s Local Plan, one alternative was to do nothing and await the implementation of new planning guidance and/or the new plan-making system. This was rejected on the basis that significant changes were imminent and to do nothing would put the Council at greater risk of speculative development for an additional extended period of time.

This was not a Key Decision and so can be implemented with immediate effect by officers.