Agenda item

A report of the Head of Planning and Regeneration to seek approval for the publication of the Draft Charnwood Local Plan (2019-36) and its supporting documents for public consultation will be considered for pre-decision scrutiny in order to make recommendations as appropriate to the Cabinet (item 7b on the agenda filed with these minutes).

A Cabinet report of the Head of Planning and Regeneration was considered to seek approval for the publication of the Draft Charnwood Local Plan (2019-36) and its supporting documents for public consultation for pre-decision scrutiny (item 7b on the agenda filed with these minutes).

The Lead Member for Planning, Inward Investment and Tourism Strategy, the Head of Planning and Regeneration and the Group Leader for Plans, Policy and Place Making Local Plans attended the meeting to assist with the consideration of the item and gave the following responses:

      i.        Cross border collaborations and engagement with neighbouring authorities was highly important with regards to the development of the Local Plan. The Council was bound by national policy and legislation, such as the Localism Act 2011, which placed a duty on the Council to co-operate, and a requirement to reach a Statement of Common Ground with partner authorities on strategic planning matters.  Furthermore, the Council had developed a Strategic Growth Plan, which further facilitated engagement.

    ii.        The new Local Plan had developed substantially in terms of addressing the Council’s carbon neutrality target. Climate change had been a key theme throughout the plan with topics including the feasibility of sustainable energy, sustainable travel, tree planting, flood risk and drainage systems and alterations in the processes of developers.

   iii.        The Leicestershire International Gateway was a significant influence on the proposals for Shepshed and the north west margins of the Borough.

   iv.        Following the completion of the consultation period, a relevant Scrutiny Committee would have the opportunity to review the analysed consultation responses. It was anticipated that this data could be made available by February 2020. 

    v.        It was significant that the appropriate infrastructure was implemented at the correct time. A site-specific infrastructure delivery plan would be developed in collaboration with colleagues at Leicestershire County Council and other stakeholders, however, at this stage details were not fully available. Further work on infrastructure needs would follow the consultation result, allowing for an understanding of the suitability of the proposals. At the date of the meeting, there had not been reviews of the effectiveness of transport forecasting of previous Local Plans, and it was suggested that this work be undertaken as a learning activity.

   vi.        Legacy S106 legal agreements had not always achieved their intended aims; however, significant changes to the law and practice around S106 agreements had been made over the last 25 years such that legal colleagues were now able to ensure that agreements were tightly worded. It was noted that developers were able to vary agreements, for example where affordable housing obligations render the scheme unviable, but the decision whether to accept this was with the Plans Committee, since recent changes to the Council’s Constitution.

  vii.        The planning authority had engaged with NHS organisations such as Clinical Commissioning Groups (CCGs) in order to outline proposals from the Draft Local Plan (2019-36).

 viii.        Loughborough, Shepshed and Watermead had been prioritised to with regards to regeneration requirements, whilst other areas of the Borough were not given the same emphasis. The consultation period for the Local Plan provided an opportunity for comments to be made on these priorities or if other areas should be considered.

   ix.        The Commission recognised the significant work that had been undertaken by the Local Planning Team in producing the Draft Local Plan (2019-36) and accompanying documentation and thanked them for their efforts. 

RESOLVED

1.            That the Cabinet be informed that the Commission supports the recommendations as set out in the report of the Head of Planning and Regulatory Services. 

2.            That Councillors receive an A3 copy of the mapping associated with the Draft Local Plan (2019-36) for their reference.

3.            That the Democratic Services Manager liaise with Officers in the Planning Service to identify a suitable date and Scrutiny Committee to review the analysed consultation responses.

Reasons

1.            The Commission was satisfied that the publication of the Draft Charnwood Local Plan (2019-36) and its supporting documents for consultation was required to enable necessary developments in Charnwood. The Cabinet’s consideration of the Commission’s views and recommendations was welcomed as part of its decision-making process.

2.            To enable Councillors to better refer to the mapping associated with the Draft Local Plan (2019-36).

3.            To ensure the appropriate Scrutiny Committee are fully appraised of the consultation responses in a timely manner.