Issue - meetings

To receive a report by the Assistant Director (Environment, Growth and Planning) on the intended consultation and engagement process for Stage 3 of the Huntingdonshire Local Plan to 2036.

Hardcopies of the Plan have been circulated to Members of the Cabinet only.

Endorsed the use of the emerging Draft Local Plan policies for development management purposes, to supersede the previous Development Management DPD; noted the progress made to date on preparing the new Local Plan and the anticipated next steps in the consultation and plan making process and authorised Officers to proceed to Stage 3 Draft Local Plan non statutory consultation stage, using appropriate consultation material the exact content of which to be agreed by the Assistant Director (Environment, Growth and Planning) after consultation with the Executive Councillor for Strategic Planning and Housing.

Further to Minute No 12/23 and by way of a report by the Assistant Director, Environment, Growth and Planning the Cabinet were acquainted with the content of the draft Huntingdonshire Local Plan to 2036, together with an initial Sustainability Appraisal (copies of both documents are appended in the Minute Book).

The Executive Councillor for Strategic Planning and Housing reported that since the first anniversary of the National Planning Policy Framework, the current Development Management Plan Document cannot be afforded significant weight in the Development Management process.  As such, Councillor Guyatt indicated that the Development Management Development Plan Document (DPD) should cease to be used in the consideration of planning applications.  Instead, the policies in the emerging Draft Local Plan should now be used as it would give more substance to the plan preparation process.

Having regard to the key stages and timescales for the Plan’s consultation and engagement process, Members noted that a consultation leaflet would be delivered to all households in the district.  Residents would be able to become involved by various methods including a consultation website or in one of the eight public “drop in” sessions being held across the district. Having stressed the importance of engaging local residents in the plan making process, the Cabinet 

RESOLVED

(a)  that the use of the emerging Draft Local Plan policies for development management purposes, to supersede the previous Development Management DPD be endorsed;

(b)  that the progress made to date on preparing the new Local Plan and the anticipated next steps in the consultation and plan making process be noted; and

(c)  that Officers be authorised to proceed to Stage 3 Draft Local Plan non statutory consultation stage, using appropriate consultation material the exact content of which to be agreed by the Assistant Director (Environment, Growth and Planning) after consultation with the Executive Councillor for Strategic Planning and Housing.