Agenda item

To consider the report of the Director of City Development setting out a range of changes proposed to the Local Plan Update following detailed consideration of consultation responses to the Publication draft policies.  The report requests endorsement of the proposed Pre-Submission Draft changes and supporting paragraphs of the Local Plan Update 1 and seeks approval to undertake further public consultation.

Further to Minute No. 46, 21 September 2022, the Director of City Development submitted a report setting out a number of changes proposed to the Local Plan Update following detailed consideration of consultation responses to the publication draft policies. The report requested endorsement of the proposed Pre-Submission Draft changes and supporting paragraphs of the Local Plan Update 1 and sought approval to undertake a further period of public consultation.

The Executive Member introduced the report, providing an overview of the changes proposed and highlighting the key role played by the Plan in the actions being taken in response to the Climate Emergency. 

Members extended their thanks to officers for the work which continued to be undertaken in getting the plan to this advanced stage.

A Member raised a concern regarding the proposed changes and how they could dilute the Council’s existing commitments in relation to the Climate Emergency, with it being acknowledged however that at this stage, the Board was being recommended to approve a further consultation exercise where the public could submit their views on such matters.

RESOLVED –

(a)  That the proposed Pre-Submission Draft changes and supporting paragraphs of the Local Plan Update 1, as set out in Appendix 1 to the submitted report, and as a schedule of changes in Appendix 2 and the Sustainability Appraisal, as set out in Appendix 3, be endorsed;

(b)  That 6 weeks consultation of the proposed Pre-Submission Draft changes and supporting paragraphs, as set out in Appendix 1 and Appendix 2, together with supporting technical information (comprising Sustainability Appraisal at Appendix 3, Habitat Regulations Assessment at Appendix 4, Report of Consultation at Appendix 5 and Duty to Co-operate Statement at Appendix 6), be approved, with it being noted that that this will be accompanied by additional draft supporting consultation documentation, including the Council’s evidence base and background papers alongside accessible summary material for consultation purposes;

(c)  That the necessary authority be delegated to the Chief Planning Officer, in consultation with the Executive Member for Sustainable Development and Infrastructure, to approve any detailed technical or drafting amendments to the consultation material in advance of public consultation;

(d)  That it be noted that the Chief Planning Officer is responsible for the implementation of the resolutions set out above.

(The matters referred to within this minute, given that they were decisions being made in accordance with the Budget and Policy Framework Procedure Rules, were not eligible for Call In, as Executive and Decision Making Procedure Rule 5.1.2 states that the power to Call In decisions does not extend to those decisions being made in accordance with the Budget and Policy Framework Procedure Rules)