Purpose

To agree the next steps in the Local Plan process

Decision

1)         Agree that work on a new local plan should proceed under the new planning system as set out in the Planning and Compulsory Purchase Act 2004 (as amended) and the Town and Country Planning (Local Planning) (England) Regulations 2026

2)         Approve the publication of the Local Plan Timetable and delegate authority to the Head of Planning and Infrastructure in consultation with the Portfolio Holder for Strategic Planning and Infrastructure to amend or add information to the timetable, as and when required, to ensure ongoing compliance with relevant guidance and regulations.

3)         Approve the publication of the Notice of intention to commence Local Plan Preparation, alongside the new Local Plan Timetable.

4)         Delegate authority to the Head of Planning and Infrastructure in consultation with the Portfolio Holder for Strategic Planning and Infrastructure to agree the details of and undertake a scoping consultation in the Autumn. This includes delegation to finalise the Sustainability Appraisal/Strategic Environmental Assessment Scoping and Habitats Regulations Assessment Pre-Screening for consultation.

5)         Delegate authority to the Head of Planning and Infrastructure in consultation with the Portfolio Holder for Strategic Planning to publish the required documentation to pass through Gateway 1 in Spring 2027.