Issue - meetings

This report sets out a proposed response to the government’s latest consultation on plan-making reforms. It seeks recommendations of approval to the Cabinet Member for Planning.

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

Consideration was given to the Borough Council’s response to the Governments latest consultation on plan-making reforms.  A proposed response to be submitted by the deadline of 18 October 2023 was set out at Annex 1.

The consultation provided further detail around the proposed 30 month plan-making process, including new proposals for a 4 month period prior to commencement, 2 set periods of consultation and engagement and a 3 staged gateway assessment process for local plans.

Attention was drawn to the confirmation of the transitional arrangements for plan-making as proposed within the December 2022 consultation, subject to the Levelling Up and Regeneration Bill receiving Royal Assent in Spring 2024.  The Government had not yet published the NPPF reforms so amendments to the approach to housing numbers and the Green Belt remained unconfirmed.  However, as the Government were proposing the same transitional arrangements the Borough Council would need to undertake Regulation 18B and Regulation 19 consultation and submit its Local Plan before June 2025.

Following consideration by the Housing and Planning Scrutiny Select Committee and having regard to the comments made by Members, the Cabinet Member for Planning resolved that:

(1)             the proposed response to the plan-making reforms consultation, set out at Annex 1 be approved and submitted by the 18 October 2023;

(2)             authority be delegated to the Director of Planning, Housing and Environmental Health, in liaison with the Cabinet Member for Planning, to approve any necessary further minor changes to the proposed consultation response that might be required for reasons of clarity or presentation.

(3)             the position regarding transitional arrangements for plan-making be noted.

(Decision Notice D230082MEM)

Consideration was given to the Borough Council’s response to the Governments latest consultation on plan-making reforms.  A proposed response to be submitted by the deadline of 18 October 2023 was set out at Annex 1.

The consultation provided further detail around the proposed 30 month plan-making process, including new proposals for a 4 month period prior to commencement, 2 set periods of consultation and engagement and a 3 staged gateway assessment process for local plans.

Attention was drawn to the confirmation of the transitional arrangements for plan-making as proposed within the December 2022 consultation, subject to the Levelling Up and Regeneration Bill receiving Royal Assent in Spring 2024.  The Government had not yet published the NPPF reforms so amendments to the approach to housing numbers and the Green Belt remained unconfirmed.  However, as the Government were proposing the same transitional arrangements the Borough Council would need to undertake Regulation 18B and Regulation 19 consultation and submit its Local Plan before June 2025.

Members supported the proposed response to the Consultation, particularly in respect of question 41 related to transitional arrangements and expressed disappointment that final guidance had still not been provided.

RECOMMENDED*:  That

(1)             the proposed response to the plan-making reforms consultation, set out at Annex 1 be approved and submitted by the 18 October 2023;

(2)             authority be delegated to the Director of Planning, Housing and Environmental Health, in liaison with the Cabinet Member for Planning, to approve any necessary further minor changes to the proposed consultation response that might be required for reasons of clarity or presentation.

(3)             the position regarding transitional arrangements for plan-making be noted.

*Decision taken by Cabinet Member