Issue - meetings

Report of the Corporate Director of Environment and Resident Experience. To be presented by the Cabinet Member for Housing & Planning (Deputy Leader).

DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST MADE FOR THIS ITEM:

None

RESOLVED:

That Cabinet:

1. Approved for public consultation, in accordance with Regulation 18 of the Town and Country Planning Regulations (Local Planning) (England) Regulations 2012, the Draft Local Plan consultation document attached as Appendix B to this report.
   
   
2. Delegated authority to the Director of Planning & Building Standards to agree the final version of the Draft Local Plan consultation document, and other supporting material to be produced for consultation including the Integrated Impact Assessment (IIA) in consultation with the Cabinet Member for Housing and Planning to the extent that any changes to the versions approved by Cabinet are not material changes and which could include changes to the text, layout and design of the Draft Local Plan consultation document and supporting documents and changes needed to clarify information or correct errors in the same.
   
   
3. Considered all feedback received in respect of the New Local Plan First Steps Engagement consultation set out in Appendix A to this report.
   
   

Reasons for decision

A Local Plan is required to provide a robust planning framework for future development and land use in the borough that takes account of the National Planning Policy Framework and the London Plan, secures mitigation and adaption to climate change, and meets legal and policy requirements for the Council to have an up-to-date plan including a 5 Year Housing Land Supply. The Draft Local Plan Regulation 18 consultation document will provide the opportunity for residents, businesses and other local stakeholders to shape the policies, site allocations and strategy for meeting growth and need in the borough in the New Local Plan.

Alternative options considered

The alternative options considered are:

Do nothing / rely on the existing Local Plan (adopted 2017):

·       This option was rejected as the current Local Plan does not reflect the Council’s current strategic priorities and does not reflect changes in national and regional policy, including the National Planning Policy Framework 2024 and the London Plan 2021. Continuing to rely on the existing plan would risk planning decisions being challenged and reduce the Council’s ability to shape sustainable and inclusive growth.

Delay consultation until further national or regional policy changes are finalised:

·       While there is ongoing evolution in planning policy at the national and London-wide levels, delaying consultation would risk missing key milestones in the Council’s adopted Local Development Scheme March 2025 and could result in the Council not having an up-to-date Local Plan in place by 2027. This would undermine the Council’s ability to demonstrate a 5-Year Housing Land Supply and meet statutory requirements. Officers will work to ensure when preparing the plan that regard is had to future changes to national and London policy.

Undertake a partial review of the Local Plan rather than a full review:

·       A partial review was considered but discounted. A comprehensive New Local Plan is necessary to ensure full alignment with the Council’s updated vision and strategic ambitions and to provide a coherent and integrated planning framework. A partial review would not adequately address the  ...  view the full decision text for item 14.