Issue - meetings

The purpose of this report is to present the Proposed Submission Local Plan (2022-2040) to Full Council with the recommendation that public consultation be undertaken as soon as practically possible and in accordance with our Local Development Scheme (the Local Plan timetable).

The Licencing and Planning Policy Committee on the 20 November 2024 agreed to recommend to Full Council that; the Proposed Submission Local Plan be endorsed as being sound; public consultation should commence on the document as soon as is practically possible for a period of six weeks and that the plan should be submitted for independent examination as soon as is practically possible.

The Regulation 19 consultation is the second consultation stage on the Local Plan prior to the document being submitted for examination by a Planning Inspector appointed by the Secretary of State. The Regulation 19 consultation seeks representations on legal compliance and the four tests of soundness set out in the National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF).

Council received a report presenting the Proposed Submission Local Plan (2022-2040) with the recommendation that public consultation be undertaken as soon as practically possible and in accordance with the Council’s Local Development Scheme (the Local Plan timetable).

The Licencing and Planning Policy Committee on 20 November 2024 agreed to recommend to Full Council that: the Proposed Submission Local Plan be endorsed as being sound; public consultation should commence on the document as soon as is practically possible for a period of six weeks and that the plan should be submitted for independent examination as soon as is practically possible.

Prior to the debate the Mayor informed the Council of the procedure to be followed on this item. The Mayor proposed that the consideration of the item be managed in three different phases:

Phase one would begin with an invitation to the Chair of the Licensing and Planning Policy Committee to introduce the item. Following the Chair’s introduction, the matter will then be opened to all members to make a statement for up to 3 minutes if they wished.

Phase two would commence once all statements had been made and provided an opportunity for any member to seek clarification from the Chair of the Licensing and Planning Policy Committee on any statements of fact within the report.

Phase three would follow after questions of clarification and provided an opportunity for any member who wishes to propose a motion to do so prior to the final reply from the Chair and the vote on the substantive matter.

Accordingly, Councillor Peter O’Donovan MOVED the recommendations in the report and the item was debated following the procedure set out above.

Following debate, and upon being put the recommendations were CARRIED with 16 votes for, 8 votes against and 7 abstentions. In accordance with FCR 4.61 of Appendix 4 to the Constitution, a recorded vote was taken on this matter as detailed below, there being 8 councillors in support of a recorded vote.

Accordingly, it was resolved to:

(1)       Endorse the Proposed Submission Local Plan as being sound.

(2)       Approve that public consultation on the Proposed Submission Local Plan commences as soon as is practicably possible for a period of 6 weeks, dates to be agreed with the Chair of Licensing and Planning Policy Committee.

(3)       Approve the submission of the Proposed Submission Local Plan 2022-2040 and all associated documents, together with a Statement including how the responses from previous consultations have been taken into account and a summary of the main issues raised in the publication stage responses, to the  Secretary of State for independent examination under Regulation 22 of the Town and Country Planning (Local Planning) (England) Regulation as soon as is practically possible following the close of the six week public consultation.