Issue - meetings

This report provides an update on Local Plan progress since November 2019, considers the next stages in the process and recommends a revised Local Plan timetable for approval.  Progress in neighbouring Authorities is also reviewed.

(Report of Director of Planning, Housing and Environmental Health)

The report provided an update on the Local Plan progress since November 2019, considered the next stages in the process and recommended a revised timetable for approval.  Progress in neighbouring authorities was also reviewed.

Following consideration by the Planning and Transportation Advisory Board, the Cabinet Member for Strategic Planning and Infrastructure resolved that:

(1)       the content of the report be noted; and

(2)       the revised Local Plan timetable, set out at Annex 1 to the report, be endorsed.

(Decision Notice D200025MEM)

The report provided an update on the progress of the Local Plan since November 2019 and considered the next stages in the process.  A revised timetable was recommended for approval.  Progress in neighbouring authorities was also reviewed.

Members were advised that the first phase of Local Plan Hearings were scheduled for 19-21 May at the Orchards Conference Venue at East Malling Research Centre.  Since the publication of the agenda, additional dates of 24-25 June had also been arranged.   It was explained that discussions at these Hearings would be guided by ‘Matters, Issues and Questions’ raised by the Planning Inspectors.  These had recently been received and the Borough Council had until 9 April to submit statements.

In addition, Members were informed that the Borough Council had been appointed a new Lead Planning Inspector.  It had been confirmed that the change of Inspector would not affect the Hearing dates.  Members noted that the new Lead Local Plan Inspector was Louise Crosby and not Susan Crosby as stated in the report.

The revised timetable, set out an Annex 1 to the report, allowed a reasonable estimate of time for each of the remaining key stages of the Local Plan process but this remained subject to confirmation.

Members welcomed the recent acceleration in progress but expressed frustration at the length of time taken between the Local Plan being submitted and the Hearings being scheduled. 

RECOMMENDED:  That:

(1)       the content of the report be noted; and

(2)       the revised Local Plan timetable, set out at Annex 1 to the report, be endorsed.