Purpose

The government recently published for
consultation the revised National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF)
and other changes to the planning system. The Council needs to
respond to this consultation and this report sets out the
recommended key elements of the response. The revised NPPF will
also have significant implications for the Council’s Local
Plan and this report outlines some of the main implications and the
recommended next steps in respect of Local Plan
preparation.

Decision

(1) 
 To note the government’s proposed
changes to the National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF) and to
agree the key elements of the Council’s response to the
consultation on the revised NPPF and other changes to the planning
system as set out in paragraph 3.6 of the report.
 
(2) 
To delegate authority to the Executive Director for Sustainable
Communities, in consultation with the Cabinet Member for Built
Environment, Housing and Sustainable Development, to agree and
submit the Council’s response to the government’s
consultation on the revised NPPF and other changes to the planning
system.
 
(3) 
To agree that the Local Plan needs to be reset and that preparation
should progress towards submission in advance of the
Government’s new deadline of December 2026.
 
(4) 
To delegate authority to the Executive Director for Sustainable
Communities, in consultation with the Cabinet Member for Built
Environment, Housing and Sustainable Development, to agree and
publish a revised Local Development Scheme setting out the revised
programme for Local Plan preparation.
 
(5) 
To agree that we continue to co-operate with our neighbouring
authorities and the West of England Combined Authority (WECA) to
ensure that strategic planning delivers the affordable housing we
need, as well as the supporting infrastructure.
 
(6) 
To authorise the Executive Director for Sustainable Communities, in
consultation with the Cabinet Member for Built Environment, Housing
and Sustainable Development, to issue communications relating to
the resetting of the Local Plan and the proposed next steps as set
out in Section 10 of the report.