Purpose

The Local Plan is at a stage
where before further work can progress, public consultation is
necessary on the draft at Regulation 18.This ensures that plan is
prepared accordingly with the relevant Regulations and can pass the
soundness test at Examination. This stage focusses on the spatial
strategy and detailed policies that will be included the local
plan, prior to their finalisation. The plan provides the guide for
where future development in the borough is to be located, and the
policy requirement placed on that development. An eight week
consultation to start approx. 6th January 2026 will
allow for public consultation on the plan to be undertaken whilst
avoiding the Christmas/Newyear period.
 
The updated Local Development
Scheme (March 2025, sets out the timetable for submitting the final
version of the plan to government for independent examination by
December 2026), is in compliance with this deadline.
 
The decision being sought is
for Cabinet approval to undertake public consultation on the Local
Plan as part of the preparation of the Eastbourne Local Plan as per
Planning legislation and Regulations.

Content

(Key
decision):
 
1)   
That Cabinet approves the publication of the Draft
Eastbourne Local Plan (Appendix 1 to the report) for public
consultation under Regulation 18 of the Town and Country Planning
(Local Planning) (England) Regulations 2012 (as amended) for a
period of eight weeks between Friday 13 February and Friday 10
April 2026.
 
2)   
That Cabinet delegates authority to the Chief
Executive, in consultation with the Cabinet Member for Regulatory
Services, Staff and Performance, Enterprise, to make any necessary
editorial changes and minor amendments to the consultation document
prior to publication if necessary.