Issue - meetings

Report of Councillor S Pickering, Portfolio Holder for Environment and Place.

Councillor S Pickering, Portfolio Holder for Environment and Place, introduced a report which provided an update on the work that had been undertaken to develop a new Local Plan, since the decision in November 2024 to undertake a review of the current Plan.

Councillors S Pickering and N Barker moved and seconded the recommendation.

Councillor R Shipman spoke about the lack of infrastructure and traffic problems.  Councillor M Thacker MBE spoke about the green belt, protecting community identities and areas of archaeological and historical interest.

Councillor C Cupit spoke about concerns regarding the housing target, and proposed an amendment that ‘Council requests that Cabinet consider commissioning a full briefing note on the options available, including evaluating any risks, to the Council in pursuing a lower housing target than the new national standard method in its new Local Plan, with the report going to a future Local Plan Working Group meeting for consideration’. Councillor A Dale spoke and seconded the amendment.

Councillor K Gillott agreed that the proposed action was something that should be considered.

The amendment was accepted.

Councillor D Hancock spoke about his concerns regarding the erosion of settlement development limits and Councillor H Liggett spoke about concerns to do with flooding.

Councillor S Pickering concluded that he was happy to support the amendment and look at the possible options and emphasised that the evidence for any change had to be robust and strong.

RESOLVED – That:

(1)  the report be noted.

(2)  Council requests that Cabinet consider commissioning a full briefing note on the options available, including evaluating any risks, to the Council in pursuing a lower housing target than the new national standard method in its new Local Plan, with the report going to a future Local Plan Working Group meeting for consideration.

Report of Councillor S Pickering, Portfolio Holder for Environment and Place

RESOLVED

That Cabinet noted the contents of this report and endorsed its inclusion on the agenda for the Council meeting on 26 January 2026 and the next available Environment Scrutiny Committee meeting after that date.

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

Cabinet considered a report which gave an update on the work that had been undertaken to develop a new Local Plan. The report explained the importance of having an up-to-date Plan and included a summary of determining a sustainable strategy for development, the consultations so far, the evidence base updates, future consultation requirements and priorities for the next six months.

Cabinet discussed the report. Some Members acknowledged the importance of an up-to-date Local Plan and therefore the importance of engaging in the process of developing a new Local Plan, despite the perceived challenges of meeting the housing target.

RESOLVED

That Cabinet noted the contents of this report and endorsed its inclusion on the agenda for the Council meeting on 26 January 2026 and the next available Environment Scrutiny Committee meeting after that date.

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