Purpose

To endorse the Development of a Local Development Order for Nature Based Solutions

Decision

It was RESOLVED: -

1. 1.1          That Cabinet endorsed the approach to: Delegate authority to the Chief Planning Officer and the Head of Climate and Nature Recovery, in consultation with the relevant Cabinet Members, to review relevant evidence and material considerations and informed by that review, prepare a draft Local Development Order(s) in relation to nature based works subject to specified conditions and limitations attached to that draft Order, [i] to undertake a six week period of public and stakeholder consultation(s) in respect of the draft or draft revision of that, and [ii] to have regard to the comments received from consultation and thereafter modify, amend and finalise the LDO before bringing it to Council for adoption.

REASON FOR DECISION

A Local Development Order would streamline the planning permission process making it easier and faster to manage and enhance land in a way that protected or improved the environment and natural heritage. This reflected the Councils commitment to a revitalised and improved environment.

Alternative Options Considered and Rejected:

Option 1: Do nothing

The first option is to continue to rely on the current planning process where works that may require planning permission are required in order to deliver nature recovery schemes. This would foreseeably reduce the potential for stakeholders, partners and ourselves to bring forward more ambitious projects without the added burden of planning process and cost which may be necessary from business-as-usual planning procedures. The timetables for delivering projects with grant funding would also need to accommodate the time to prepare submissions and follow formal consideration. This leads to reduced ambition and longer timeframes which an LDO might mitigate. This is not recommended.

Option 2: Proceed to develop an LDO and implement this across the districts.

An LDO, subject to agreed limitations and conditions included within it, would make it much easier for nature-based works to be carried out within the districts. With careful mitigation and management in place this would support landowners and key partners/stakeholders in delivering nature-based solutions, supporting nature recovery, climate change adaptation including flood resilience, and biodiversity improvements across both districts.

The drafting of an LDO would require careful consideration to ensure that planning policy objectives are not compromised whilst useful works are facilitated. This would require consultation with relevant stakeholders to ensure that the conditions and limitations which are necessary in the interests of the proper planning of our area are built into the draft LDO.

Any Declarations of Interests Declared: None

Any Dispensation Granted: None