Issue - meetings

By way of a report by the Head of Planning Services to consider the draft scoping report and to approve it as the basis for the sustainability appraisal of the Huntingdonshire Local Plan to 2036.

Authorised the Head of Planning Services, after consultation with the Executive Councillor for Strategic Planning and Housing, to finalise and approve the Sustainability Scoping Report.

Consideration was given to a report by the Head of Planning Services (a copy of which is appended in the Minute Book) to which were attached responses to public consultations on the draft Sustainability Appraisal Scoping Report.

Having considered the information contained in the report, which had been submitted also to the Overview and Scrutiny Panel (Environmental Well-Being), it was

RESOLVED

  that the Head of Planning Services be authorised, after consultation with the Executive Councillor for Strategic Planning and Housing, to finalise and approve the Sustainability Scoping Report.

To consider a report by the Head of Planning Services on the consultation on the draft Sustainability Appraisal Scoping Report.

The Panel considered a report by the Head of Planning Services (a copy of which is appended in the Minute Book) on the outcome of consultation on the draft Sustainability Appraisal Scoping Report. Having noted that Sustainability Appraisal was a legally required process, Members questioned whether consultants would be engaged for the completion of the work.  In response, Members were advised that Planning Officers had undertaken dedicated training to enable the work to be carried out in-house, though some external support would be required for audit work.

Following further questions on the Sustainability Appraisal’s relationship to the CRIF and CEF, the Head of Planning Services informed Members that the latter were existing plans and that it would be necessary to ensure that all these documents were consistent with each other. In addition, there was a presumption that applications for renewable energy generator installations would be allowed.

It was reported that, once completed, the sustainability appraisal would be examined by the Council’s Legal Team to ensure that it was fit for purpose and to safeguard the Council from legal challenges. The Panel was advised that all Members would shortly receive a briefing on the new National Planning Policy Framework. The briefing would include a definition of sustainability.

RESOLVED

  that the Cabinet be recommended to authorise the Head of Planning Services, after consultation with the Executive Councillor for Strategic Planning and Housing, to finalise and approve the Sustainability Appraisal Scoping Report.