Purpose

To enable the Council to consider and approve the Pre-Submission Local Plan to 2046 and its statutorily required supporting documents of the Sustainability Appraisal and Habitats Regulations Assessment for the purpose of publication for representations under Regulation 19 of the Town and Country Planning (Local Planning) (England) Regulations 2012. This is the final statutory stage for representations to be made about the proposed local plan and its supporting documents prior to the submission of the local plan to the Planning Inspectorate for independent examination.

Decision

The Cabinet has resolved

(1)  that the Council be recommended to approve the Pre-Submission Local Plan to 2046 (Appendix 1) for representations to be made under Regulation 19 of the Town and Country Planning (Local Planning) (England) Regulations 2012 for a period of six weeks starting on 16th September and closing on 28th October 2026;

(2)  that the Council be recommended to approve the accompanying Policies Map (Appendix 2) for publication for a period of six weeks starting on 16th September and closing on 28th October 2026;

(3)  that the Council be recommended to approve the Sustainability Appraisal (Appendix 3) for public consultation for a period of six weeks starting on 16th September and closing on 28th October 2026;

(4)  that the Council be recommended to approve the Habitats Regulations Assessment (Appendix 5) for public consultation for a period of six weeks starting on 16th September and closing on 28th October 2026;

(5)  that the Council be recommended to approve for publication on 16th September 2026 the Statement of the Representations Procedure (Appendix 6) explaining how and when representations can be made on the documents listed above;

(6)  that the Council be recommended to note the above documents will be supported by an extensive suite of evidence that will be made available through the Council’s website; and

(7)  that the Council be recommended to delegate any presentational changes and minor amendments such as correcting typographical errors or factual inaccuracies to the Planning Policy Team Leader in consultation with the Executive Councillor for Planning.

Reasons for the decision

As outlined within the report.

Alternative options considered

As outlined within the report.