Purpose

To agree the Policy Review of the Adopted Local Plans for Greater Cambridge: January 2025 update

Content

Matter for Decision:

 

To agree the Policy Review of the Adopted Local Plans for
Greater Cambridge: January 2025 update (see Appendix A).

Appendix A: Policy Review of the Adopted
Local Plans for Greater Cambridge: January 2025 update - Cambridge Council

 

Local plans must be
reviewed at least every five years from the date of a plan’s adoption.  A review of the Cambridge and South
Cambridgeshire Local Plans has been undertaken and was agreed by the Executive
Councillor for Planning, Building Control and Infrastructure in June 2023.  Work began on the joint Greater Cambridge
Local Plan (GCLP) in 2019, as set out in the adopted plans, and, consequently,
a process for the replacement of both plans is underway.

The key purpose of the review agreed by the Executive
Councillor in June 2023 was to assess whether there were any relevant changes
in national policy that might have a bearing on the weight accorded to adopted
policies in determining development proposals. 
A revised version of the National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF) was
published in December 2024.  It is
necessary, therefore, to update the original review to take account of any
changes in the latest NPPF version that might have a bearing on the weight
accorded to the adopted plans’ policies.

The outcome of the
updated review is that the vast majority of policies in both adopted plans
remain consistent with national policy and, therefore, can be given full weight
until replaced by policies in the GCLP. 
The small number of exceptions principally relate to subsequent changes
to national policy, with a limited number of these arising from the most recent
changes to the NPPF.    

Alternative options:

 

The alternative options available are:

1: To not agree the Policy Review
of the Adopted Local Plans for Greater Cambridge: January 2025 update.

 

Reason for Rejection: As above, a
revised version of the National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF) was published
in December 2024. Not agreeing this updated policy review would mean that the
Councils’ published understanding of the weight to be accorded to adopted
Cambridge Local Plan policies would not be up to date.

 

The Executive Councillor’s decision:

 

To agree Policy Review of the Adopted Local Plans for
Greater Cambridge: January 2025 update (see Appendix A).

Appendix
A: Policy Review of the Adopted Local Plans for Greater Cambridge: January 2025
update - Cambridge Council

 

Reason for the decision:

 

To maintain an up to date understanding of the weight to be accorded to adopted
Cambridge Local Plan policies.

 

Scrutiny Consideration: The Chair and Spokespersons
of Planning and Transport Scrutiny Committee were consulted prior to the action
being authorised.

 

Report: Appendix A: Policy Review of the Adopted Local Plans for
Greater Cambridge: January 2025 update

Appendix
A: Policy Review of the Adopted Local Plans for Greater Cambridge: January 2025
update - Cambridge Council

 

Background Papers

·      
Published Adopted Local Plans 5 year review, June 2023

·      
Cabinet papers for Adopted Local Plans – 5 year review, June 2023

 

Conflict of interest: None

 

Comments: The Liberal Democrat Opposition Spokes, Councillor
Katy Porrer stated that they supported the recommendation.