Decision

Report went to Cabinet on 16 September which agreed delegation to officers to make further amendments in light of comments made at the meeting. For this officer decision we have attached the final response to the recent government consultation.

Reasons for the decision

It is important that the Council responded to the government’s proposed planning reforms on behalf of its residents, businesses and communities since these were likely to have significant implications for planning decision-making in Buckinghamshire.

Alternative options considered

The Council could elect not to respond to the government’s consultation. Given the potential local significance of some of the changes proposed, however, officers did not consider that to do so would be in the best interests of the communities which the Council serves and represented.