Issue - meetings

To comment and advise on the decision-making procedure for modifications to the Huntingdonshire Local Plan to 2036, supplementary documents and evidence that may be required as part of the Local Plan examination process.

(Executive Councillor:  Cllr R Fuller)

Considered and noted the decision-making procedure for modifications to the Huntingdonshire Local Plan to 2036, supplementary documents and evidence that may be required as part of the Local Plan examination process.

The Cabinet considered a report (a copy of which is appended in the Minute Book) by the Planning Services Manager (Policy, Implementation and Strategic Development) which was presented by Cllr R Fuller, in his capacity as Executive Member for Housing, Planning and Economic Development.

The report set out the options available to the Council in order to progress the Huntingdonshire Local Plan to 2036 through the Local Plan examination stages. Specifically the decision-making process regarding the agreement of any future proposed modifications to the Local Plan and the production and agreement of supplementary documents and evidence that might be required as part of the Local Plan examination process.

Following endorsement of the Huntingdonshire Local Plan 2036 by Council in December 2017, the Local Plan to 2036: Proposed Submission and its supporting documents were submitted for independent examination to the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government (via the Planning Inspectorate) in March 2018.  Subsequently the Secretary of State appointed a Planning Inspectorate to conduct the examination of the Local Plan.

It was explained that the report proposed a decision-making procedure regarding any future main and additional modifications to the Huntingdonshire Local Plan to 2036.  The procedure was required to facilitate efficient progress of the Plan enabling the expedition of decisions during the course of its examination.

The report recommended that where changes would be of such significance as to substantially alter the meaning of a policy or allocation proposed, modifications would be agreed by the Managing Director and Executive Leader, in consultation with the Head of Development, Housing and Planning, Executive Member for Housing, Planning and Economic Development and the Chairman of the Development Plan Policy Advisory Group.

Other changes known as additional modifications, provided that they did not materially affect the policies in the Plan would be delegated to the Head of Development, Corporate Director (Delivery), Planning Service Manager (Policy Implementation and Strategic Development) and Planning Policy Team Leader.  Examples of additional modifications were the correction of minor errors, responses to representations made, or to provide an update in relation to any new circumstances that had arisen since the submission Local Plan was prepared.

In considering the comments of the Overview and Scrutiny Panel (Performance and Growth) which had been circulated subsequent to the agenda dispatch, it was noted that Members would receive a weekly email during the examination of any modifications made to the Plan. 

Having agreed with the proposed decision-making process regarding modifications to the Local Plan during the examination, the Cabinet  

RESOLVED

to consider and note the decision-making procedure for modifications to the Huntingdonshire Local Plan to 2036, supplementary documents and evidence that may be required as part of the Local Plan examination process.

The Panel are to receive the Authorisation of Modifications to the Huntingdonshire Local Plan to 2036 report.

With the aid of a report by the Planning Service Manager (Policy, Implementation and Strategic Development) the report on the authorisation of modifications to the Huntingdonshire Local Plan to 2036 was presented to the Panel.

The Panel was informed that the report is asking them to consider a matter of procedure and not policy. The Planning Service Manager (Policy, Implementation and Strategic Development) informed Members that the inspector wants to begin inspection in July and that the report is recommending that the Head of Development writes to Inspector inviting modifications in order for the Local Plan to be found legally compliant and sound.

Members were informed of the issues facing the Development Management Committee when considering new developments and currently there is a tilted balance in the developers favour. The way to get back to balanced position is to have an updated Local Plan.

The Panel was informed that non-significant alterations would be made quickly and that significant alterations would be subject to a public consultation. It was explained that significant alterations are those that materially alter the Local Plan.

The Executive Councillor for Growth confirmed that the Local Plan has not changed since December 2017 and that the two sites brought forward since have been outside the plan and will be dealt with through the Development Management process.

Members were informed that all Members received bulletins with details of planning updates including when delegated authority has been used.

Following a question, it was explained to the Panel that the Housing and Economic Land Availability Assessment (HELLA) is a background document and not part of the Local Plan but it could be used if more housing is required to be included.

The Panel agreed to the recommendations contained in the report.