Agenda item

Report by the Planning Policy Team Leader (TDC) (attached).

The Committee considered a report by the Planning Policy Team Leader (TDC) regarding the Update on the Preparation of a New Joint Local Plan (circulated previously). 

The Planning Policy Team Leader presented the report to the Committee and confirmed that:

·                The report provided an update to the preparation of a new joint local plan, however, it was tentative and based upon limited detail about planning reforms and no firm understanding of the timing or nature of the new plan making system. The authorities had now received some more detail - although not the full picture.

·                Plan-making Guidance (draft form) and details of what the Government expected to set out as the process had been received - but not the actual regulations - latest insight suggested would be issued on 30th January.

·                It confirmed a 30-month plan-making and examination period, shouldered by a 'getting ready' pre-period and a post-adoption monitoring period.  Importantly, the draft guidance set out a lot of what was expected or required during the initial 'getting ready' period.

·                Appendix 2 consolidated some of the key guidance, focussing on the 'getting ready' phase.

·                Getting ready phase was a minimum of 4-months - predicated by the need to give formal notice of commencing plan-making at least 4-months prior to the formal start of the 30-month period. This would culminate in the completion and publication of a Gateway 1 Self-assessment, which triggers the commencement of the start of the formal 30-month period.

·                In terms of the getting ready phase - expected to make process in five areas:

o   Local plan timetable

o   Project management and governance

o   Consulting and engaging on the plan

o   Content of the plan

o   Strategic Environmental Assessment (SEA)

·                The required process is to:

o   Prepare and publish first version of local plan timetable

o   Publish formal notice of intention to commence

o   Run a scoping consultation

·                Expected to make progress on a range of other activities including:

o   Project management and governance arrangements, preparation of a Project Initiation Document (PID)

o   Baselining

o   Begin evidence gathering Availability of land, including a call for sites

o   SWOT analysis of the area and its context

o   Scope of the plan - main areas and locally specific topic matters

o   Initial shaping of a draft vision

o   Identifying measurable outcomes

o   Likely levels of development

o   High-level spatial options and topics that might need policies

o   Scope and commence SEA

·                Progress had already been made on a number of these activities - with more work ongoing.

·                PID - set out details of programme, project management, resourcing, governance, etc. The PID was now a mandatory requirement. The PID would be developed over the coming months, with an expectation of a complete version to be available by the time pass through Gateway 1 Self-Assessment.

·                PID sets out indicative timeline. Including indication of publishing notice of intention to start plan-making in June 26 and Publishing a Gateway 1 Self-assessment and commencing 30-month period in October 2026. This fitted perfectly with a recently announced funding opportunity - New System Plan Funding.

·                £14m was available (in total) to support plan-making for any plans deliverable by the end of the year. It was expected that approximately £120k would be available to each Local Authority. Each would have to submit a separate expression of interest.

In response to questions from the Committee, the Planning Policy Team Leader advised:

o   The team had been advised to continue with the works on the new plan, regardless of the current Local Government Reorganisation (LGR) discussions. This would then hopefully help to best secure the direction of travel for the area going forward.

o   Neighbourhood Plan funding had been withdrawn although the process, and legislation was still in place.

Cllr Clayton arrived (10:45)

RESOLVED that:

(a)      the emerging detail of the new plan-making system and associated guidance, be noted,

(b)      Officers be enabled to update and continue to progress activities deemed as necessary within the ‘getting ready’ phase of plan-making, including the development of a detailed plan making programme,

(c)       the submission of an Expression of Interest by each Council for New System Plan Funding be noted with the commitment to work towards:

a.         publishing the formal notice by 30th June, and

b.         publishing a Gateway 1 Assessment by 31st October 2026, be supported,

(d)         the initial draft of the People and Place Project Initiation Document (PID) be adopted;

(e)          the Update on the Preparation of a New Joint Local Plan be noted.