Decision details

RESOLVED that: -

(a)           the BCP Local Plan Issues and Options Consultation Draft be approved for a minimum of 8 weeks public consultation in accordance with Regulation 18 of the Local Planning Regulations; and

(b)           Cabinet delegate authority to the Head of Planning in consultation with the Portfolio Holder for Regeneration, Economy and Strategic Planning to make changes necessary to the plan prior to release for public consultation. Prior to the release of the plan for public consultation the Head of Planning and Portfolio Holder will take into account any recommendation from the Overview and Scrutiny Local Plan Working Group once they have met to consider the findings of the Local Housing Needs Assessment.

Voting: Unanimous

Portfolio Holder: Regeneration, Economy and Strategic Planning

Reason

An up to date local plan will be essential for BCP in planning for future growth in a sustainable manner. Having an up to date planning framework reflecting current national policy will be more robust in determining planning applications and more efficient in terms of implementation through decisions on planning applications.

Public consultation is a key part of local plan preparation, feedback from the public and stakeholders will be considered in preparing the more formal regulation 19 submission local plan.