Issue - meetings

The Local Plan Programme sets out the timetable for the new Local Plan.

The current Local Plan Programme has been updated following various Government announcements on changes to planning, including significant planning reform, and the ongoing impact of the COVID-19 pandemic. These have caused unexpected delays to the existing published timetable.

Following consideration, it was resolved that the Committee:

(1)      Considered and approved the revised Local Plan Programme (March 2021) at Appendix 1, and agreed to delegate powers to the Head of Planning, Chair and Vice-Chair to make any editorial changes that may be required.

The Local Plan Programme sets out the timetable for the new Local Plan.

The current Local Plan Programme has been updated following various Government announcements on changes to planning, including significant planning reform, and the ongoing impact of the COVID-19 pandemic. These have caused unexpected delays to the existing published timetable.

The Committee received a verbal introduction from the Planning Policy Manager.

The following matters were raised by the Committee:

a)            Typographical errors: Members noted a number of inconsistencies throughout the report including some typographical errors. The Officer suggested that it may be of benefit to delegate powers to the Head of Planning, Chair and Vice-Chair to make any editorial changes that may be required.

b)           Length of process: Members noted the lengthy Revised Plan process. Following a question from a Member, the Officer confirmed that the report was progressed with after seeking and receiving Government advice.

c)            Updating evidence-base: Following a question from a Member, the Officer noted that some of the Strategies, including Economic Development, would need updating; particularly due to the effects of Covid-19.

The following amendment was proposed to the recommendation:

Considered and approved the revised Local Plan Programme (March 2021) at Appendix 1, and agreed to delegate powers to the Head of Planning, Chair and Vice-Chair to make any editorial changes that may be required.

From:

Considered and approved the revised Local Plan Programme (March 2021) at Appendix 1.

This additional wording was proposed by Councillor Monica Coleman and seconded by Councillor Neil Dallen.

Following consideration, it was resolved that the Committee:

(1)       Considered and approved the revised Local Plan Programme (March 2021) at Appendix 1, and agreed to delegate powers to the Head of Planning, Chair and Vice-Chair to make any editorial changes that may be required.