Agenda item

Report of the Planning Policy Manager.

Councillor Payne declared a non-pecuniary interest in the Local Planning Document on behalf of all Members present as a number of sites contained within the document are in the ownership of the Borough Council.

The Planning Policy Manager presented the report, which had been circulated prior to the meeting, seeking approval of the publication draft of the Local Planning Document to be issued for a six week consultation period and, subject to no substantial issues arising from this consultation, for referral to Council for approval of the Publication draft, Policies Map and Sustainability Appraisal to be submitted to the Secretary of State.

The Planning Policy Manager provided information relating the key development policy changes/additions, site specific allocations and outlined an additional recommendation in relation to providing clarity for Members regarding the weight to be given to the emerging documents in determining planning applications.

RESOLVED:

1)    To agree that the Publication draft of the Local Planning Document, Policies Map, Sustainability Appraisal and Habitats Regulations Assessment be submitted to Council for approval to go out for a six week consultation period;

2)    To recommend that Council approve the submission of the Publication draft of the Local Planning Document, Policies Map, Sustainability Appraisal and Habitats Regulations Assessment to the Secretary of State with associated evidence documents for independent examination under section 20 of the Planning and Compulsory Purchase Act 2004 subject to there not being the need for any substantial changes following consultation on the Publication draft. Should the consultation confirm the need for substantial changes then this would require referral back to Council for approval at a later date;

3)    To recommend that Council delegates authority to the Chief Executive in consultation with the Chairman of Planning Committee to make any minor changes such as typographical, formatting or changes to imagery necessary to the Publication draft prior to consultation and/or submission; and

4)    That Officers be requested to provide clarity as to how sites will be considered during the process for producing the Local Plan Document and the weight to be attached to the emerging document.