Purpose

To seek Cabinet approval for the revised Local Development Scheme.

Decision

RESOLVED that:

1)    Cabinet approves the Local Development Scheme July 2026 for the Full Update of the Local plan.

2)    Cabinet grants delegated authority to the Director of Planning and Building Control, in consultation with the Leader of the Council to make any necessary typographical or other non-material changes to the Local Development Scheme prior to publication.

3)    Cabinet grant delegated authority to the Director of Planning and Building Control, in consultation with the Leader of the Council to formally replace the Local Development Scheme March 2025, to take effect from the date of publication of the Local Development Scheme July 2026.

4)    Cabinet grant delegated authority to the Director of Planning and Building Control, in consultation with the Leader of the Council to submit the updated Local Development Scheme to the Ministry of Housing Communities and Local Government (MHCLG).

Reasons for the decision

The LDS is being updated to amend the timeframe of the Local Plan. The current LDS sets the timeframe for the Local Plan at 2024 to 2042. The revised timeline is 2025 to 2043. By moving the start date of the Local Plan we are able to use, in accordance with the NPPF, the most up to date information available. When a Local Plan is adopted, it should, in accordance with paragraph 22 of the NPPF include strategic policies which look ahead over a ‘minimum 15 year period from adoption’. While the LDS timetables that the Local Plan is set to be submitted for examination December 2026 at this stage the timetable for adoption is with the Planning Inspectorate. There are likely to be a considerable number of Local Plans submitted in 2026 given the changes to the plan making system with all plans submitted under the ‘legacy’ system having to be submitted by the 31st December 2026. It is therefore possible that the Plan will not be ready for adoption at full council until 2028 as there may be delays in getting through examination owing to the Inspectorates workload. As such, to seek to put the plan in the best position possible the amendments to the timetable are recommended.

Alternative options considered

Option 1 (Recommended): To approve Breckland Local Development Scheme

2026 and the timetable set on the LDS 2026.

Option 2: Do nothing