Issue - meetings

Planning Reforms and new Local Development Scheme

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Meeting: 05/03/2025 - Cabinet (Item 131)

131 Planning Reforms and new Local Development Scheme PDF 343 KB

The Ministry for Housing, Communities and Local Government (MHCLG) published its revised National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF) on 12 December 2024. These changes in Government policy have implications for Local Plan production and decision-making on planning proposals.

It should be noted that this report has been written in advance of a conclusion by the Planning Inspectorate on their initial matters, which were the subject of Part 1 Local Plan hearings in January 2025. Subject to that conclusion, their intention would be to hold Part 2 hearings sessions and to publish further sessions covering other matters. The examining inspectors were explicit at the closure of the Part 1 hearings that they were unable to advise when they would be able to provide the Council with their conclusions.

Decision:

RESOLVED that Cabinet: -

(a) Noted the Government’s recent planning reforms;

(b) Agreed to the publication of a new draft Local Development Scheme as required by Government to a deadline of 6 March 2025;

(c) Delegated authority to the Director of Planning & Transport to prepare a PID (Planning Initiation Document) and notice to commence plan making immediately in Spring 2025; and

(d) Delegated authority to the Director of Planning & Transport for a ‘call for sites’ to be commenced in Spring 2025.

Voting: Unanimous

Portfolio Holder: Leader of the Council

Reason

Government policy

Minutes:

The Leader of the Council presented a report, a copy of which had been circulated to each Member and a copy of which appears as Appendix 'G' to these Minutes in the Minute Book.

Cabinet was advised that the Ministry for Housing, Communities and Local Government (MHCLG) had published its revised National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF) on 12 December 2024, and that these changes in Government policy have implications for Local Plan production and decision-making on planning proposals.

In presenting the report the Leader advised that the council had this morning received a letter outlining their findings, and that there is a need for the council to respond.

Further to this the Leader proposed an amendment to recommendation (b) to insert the word ‘draft’ so that the recommendation read as follows:

(b) Agreed to the publication of a new draft Local Development Scheme as required by Government to a deadline of 6 March 2025;

This amendment was supported by the seconder and agreed as the substantive recommendation.

Cabinet discussed the report and in particular issues surrounding the balance between the need to build houses and of ensuring that environmental aspects are considered.