Purpose

To seek the formal adoption of the Planning Obligation Supplementary Planning Document to be used as a material consideration in the determination of relevant planning applications.

Decision

RESOLVED that the Cabinet:

i. Approve the adoption of the Planning Obligations Supplementary

Planning Document (2026) (Appendix A).

ii. Approve that the existing Planning Obligations Supplementary Planning

Document (2015) is withdrawn.

iii. Delegate authority to the Executive Director: Place in consultation with

the Cabinet Member for Planning, Transport and Countryside to approve

any necessary minor amendments to the Planning Obligations

Supplementary Planning Document (2026) prior to publication.

Reasons for the decision

Planning applications are being determined in accordance with Local Plan policies as detailed in paragraph 1.2 above.  It is important that up-to-date associated guidance is made available to provide prospective applicants with a clearer understanding of the Council’s requirements regarding policies concerned with S106 planning obligations.

Once adopted it will replace the existing Planning Obligations SPD which was adopted in 2015.

Alternative options considered

The Council could decide not to produce this SPD and rely on the existing planning Obligations SPD 2015.  The absence of an adopted up to date SPD would make the determination of planning applications open to interpretation and could result in inconsistencies of approach and not securing necessary financial contributions towards selected infrastructure types.  

Production of the SPD will assist potential developers by providing clarity on the Council’s expectations on how policies should be applied. In providing clarity, the Council is less likely to be put into an appeal position with a need to defend policies on these matters (reducing the financial and time burden on Council resources).

 There is no option to delay the adoption of the Supplementary Planning Document.  This is because Regulation 6 of the Levelling-up and Regeneration Act 2023 (Commencement No.11 and Saving and Transitional Provisions) Regulations 2026 state that supplementary planning documents can be adopted no later than 30 June 2026.  This is part of the changes to the national plan making system.