Issue - meetings

To consider a report by the Head of Planning Services seeking approval for the new Local Development Scheme.

Endorsed the content of a new Local Development Scheme for Huntingdonshire for publication and commencement on 24^th February 2012.

Further to Minute No.11/70, and by way of a report by the Head of Planning Services (a copy of which is appended in the Minute Book), the Cabinet were acquainted with the content of a new Local Development Scheme for Huntingdonshire.  The Strategy had been considered by the Overview and Scrutiny Panel (Environmental Well-Being) whose comments were relayed to the Cabinet.

Members were advised that the document outlined the proposed programme for the production of the Huntingdonshire Local Plan to 2036 and includes key milestones to inform people about opportunities to be involved in the process.  The new Scheme had arisen as a result of amendments to the plan-making process in the Localism Act, the draft National Planning Policy Framework and the Local Planning Regulations consultation.

Whereupon, it was

RESOLVED

that the new Local Development Scheme, appended to the report now submitted, be endorsed for publication and commencement on 24^th February 2012.

To consider a report by the Head of Planning Services on the New Huntingdonshire Local Plan Local Development Scheme.

(Councillor N J Guyatt, Deputy Leader and Executive Councillor for Strategic Planning and Housing, was in attendance for this Item.)

Councillor N J Guyatt introduced a report by the Head of Planning Services (a copy of which is appended in the Minute Book) on the new Local Development Scheme. The Scheme outlined the timetable for the preparation and delivery for the new Local Plan.

The Panel discussed the fact that the process leading to the adoption of the new Local Plan would require significant levels of resources.  Members raised concerns that although the Council’s Development Plans Team would take the lead in preparing all Development Plan Documents, monitoring reports and the Statement of Community Involvement, specialist consultants would be required for certain aspects of the Plan’s production, which would be costly.  However, they were advised that provision had been made in the budget for this purpose.

Having noted that the Plan should be prepared based on a Strategy which sought to meet objectively assessed development and infrastructure requirements, Members reiterated their previously expressed concerns regarding the Council’s lack of influence over the implementation of infrastructure works.

Members drew attention to the difficulties the planning service would face while the new Plan was being developed owing to the uncertain policy position that would exist, particularly as the Government had not finalised its position on planning.  In light of these concerns, the Panel was advised that contingency plans had been developed in relation to travellers’ sites and wind farms, which would be used until the necessary policies were adopted.  Having acknowledged the need to complete the process expeditiously, Members expressed doubts whether the Council’s partners would be able to complete the work required of them sufficiently quickly to enable the timetable in the Local Development Scheme to be met. 

RESOLVED

  that the Cabinet be recommended to approve the new Local Development Scheme for publication and commencement on 24th February 2012.

(Councillor C R Hyams requested that it be recorded that he abstained from voting on this Item.)