Issue - decisions

DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST MADE FOR THIS ITEM:

None

RESOLVED:

That Cabinet:

1. Noted the comments and informal recommendations of the Strategic Planning Committee in relation to the Proposed Submission Local Plan and associated documents.
   
   
2. Approved the updated Haringey Local Development Scheme (Appendix A) for publication with immediate effect from 10 November 2026.
   
   
3. Noted the consultation responses received during the Regulation 18 Draft Local Plan consultation and the Council's responses to those comments (Appendix B).
   
   

It was further recommended that Cabinet recommend to Full Council that it:

4. Approved the Proposed Submission Haringey Local Plan (Appendix C) and Policies Map (Appendix D) for publication for a minimum six-week period of public consultation pursuant to Regulation 19 of the Town and Country Planning (Local Planning) (England) Regulations 2012.
   
   
5. Approved the Integrated Impact Assessment and supporting consultation documents for publication alongside the Proposed Submission Local Plan.
   
   
6. Delegated authority to the Director of Built Environment & Highways to make any minor, non-material amendments to the Proposed Submission Local Plan and supporting documents prior to publication, including the Integrated Impact Assessment (IIA), in consultation with the Cabinet Member for Housing. Such amendments were not to constitute material changes and could include revisions to text, layout, and design, as well as corrections to errors or clarifications of information.
   
   
7. Delegated authority to the Director of Built Environment & Highways, in consultation with the Cabinet Member for Housing, to make any minor amendments necessary to the Proposed Submission Haringey Local Plan and supporting documents following consultation and prior to submission, provided that such amendments did not materially alter the strategy, policies, or site allocations contained within the Plan.
   
   
8. Following the public consultation period, authorised officers to proceed under Regulation 22 and submit the Proposed Submission Haringey Local Plan and associated documents to the Secretary of State for the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government (MHCLG) for independent examination, together with any representations received under Regulation 19.
   
   
9. Delegated authority to the Director of Built Environment & Highways, in consultation with the Cabinet Member for Housing, to prepare and consult on any proposed modifications to the Local Plan arising during the examination process where necessary to ensure compliance with national legislation, policy, or guidance.
   
   
10. Noted that, following examination, Full Council would determine whether to adopt the Local Plan under Regulation 26.
    
    

Reasons for the Decision

The Planning and Compulsory Purchase Act 2004 required local planning authorities to maintain and keep under review an up-to-date Local Plan. Haringey's existing Local Plan had been adopted in 2017. Although many elements of the adopted plan remained relevant, significant changes had occurred since its adoption, including revisions to national planning policy, publication of the London Plan 2021, developments in climate-related policy, and changes in local circumstances.

The Proposed Submission Local Plan provided an updated planning framework that responded to these changes and established a spatial strategy for managing growth and development across the borough during the plan period.

Publication of the Regulation 19 Plan represented a statutory stage in the preparation of a Local Plan and was required before the Plan could be submitted for independent examination.

The Proposed Submission Plan had been informed by a substantial evidence base, together with sustainability, health, and equality impact assessment processes, and extensive public engagement. Officers considered that the Plan had been positively prepared, was justified, effective, consistent with national policy, and capable of being found sound through the examination process.

Approval of an updated Local Development Scheme ensured that the Council maintained an up-to-date statutory programme for plan preparation and accurately communicated the revised Local Plan timetable to stakeholders.

Alternative Options Considered

The following alternative options had been considered:

Retaining the Existing Local Plan (Adopted 2017)

This option was not pursued. Failure to progress a new Local Plan would have resulted in increasing reliance on planning policies developed under an earlier policy and evidence framework. This would have reduced the effectiveness of the planning framework, increased risks associated with planning decision-making, and limited the Council's ability to guide future development and place-shaping objectives.

Delaying Publication of the Regulation 19 Local Plan

This option was not pursued. Delaying publication would have postponed the examination and adoption of a new Local Plan, affected the Council's ability to meet the timetable for submission to the Secretary of State, and prolonged uncertainty regarding the future planning framework.

Undertaking a Partial Rather Than Full Review of the Local Plan

This option was not pursued. A partial review was considered unlikely to provide the comprehensive planning framework required to respond effectively to changes in policy and local circumstances. A full replacement plan was therefore considered the most appropriate approach.