Purpose

To set out the implications of the Town and Country Planning (Local Planning) (England) Regulations 2026 and the new statutory framework for plan-making they introduce. Cabinet is asked to approve the commencement of the Barnsley Local Plan update and the associated statutory steps required in accordance with the 2026 Regulations.

Decision

RESOLVED That Cabinet:-

1. Approves that a full update of the Barnsley Local Plan commences in accordance with the Town and Country Planning (Local Planning) (England) Regulations 2026.
2. Approves the submission of a notice of intention to commence the Barnsley Local Plan update to the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government (MHCLG) and its publication (Regulation 19) in line with the timeline identified in Table 1 of the report.
3. Notes an updated Local Plan Timetable as set out at Table 1 of the report and authorises its submission to MHCLG and its publication (Regulation 4 and 5).
4. Delegates authority to the Head of Planning in consultation with the Portfolio Holder for Regeneration and Assets to agree commencement of the scoping consultation and to approve, publish and submit all documents relating to, and required by, the statutory ‘Scoping Stage’ (Regulation 20).
5. Delegates authority to the Head of Planning in consultation with the Portfolio Holder for Regeneration and Assets to approve, submit and publish documents for Gateway 1 self-assessment (Regulation 21), Gateway 2 (Regulation 26) and Gateway 3 (Regulation 31).
6. Delegates authority to the Head of Planning in consultation with the Portfolio Holder for Regeneration and Assets to agree the content of and commencement of Consultation: Proposed Local Plan content and evidence, including draft vision (Regulation 23) and Consultation on the proposed local plan (Regulation 27) with feedback brought back to a future Cabinet meeting.