Decision details

Purpose of the Report: To inform Members of the recommendations made in the Examiner’s Report following examination of the Huntington Neighbourhood Plan and further proposed modifications to the plan pertaining the Green Belt policies. The report will set out next steps in relation to progressing the Huntington Neighbourhood Plan prior to Member’s making a decision to progress the plan to referendum.

The report will include further modifications proposed following a challenge to the green belt policy through the examination process and subsequently. The further modifications proposed amend the plan to conform with the Council’s approach to decision-making where Green Belt is a consideration in line with the recent High Court Judgement ‘Wedgewood vs City of York Council’ (March 2020).

Whilst officers can modify the plan under the Neighbourhood Planning Regulations under specific circumstances, advice received on this matter recommends consultation on the proposed modifications to allow interested parties to comment and for those comments to be considered, if necessary.

The Executive will be asked to approve an additional Neighbourhood Plan (Regulation 17) consultation so that interested parties can comment on proposed modifications to the approach to Green Belt policies in the Neighbourhood Plan.

Resolved:  (i)      That the proposed additional modifications set out in Annex C to the report be approved for consultation purposes.

Reason:     To allow public consultation on the proposed additional modifications.

                   (ii)      That approval be given for a Neighbourhood Plan (Regulation 17A(2) consultation on the proposed additional modifications to the Huntington Neighbourhood Plan set out in Annex C.

Reason:     So that interested parties can comment on the proposed modifications to the approach to the Green Belt policies.

                   (iii)     That responsibility for the proposed additional modifications and consultation strategy be delegated to the Assistant Director for Planning & Public Protection, in consultation with the Executive Member for Economy & Strategic Planning.

Reason:     To allow public consultation on the proposed additional modifications.

                   (iv)    That consideration of the Examiner’s report at Annex A and the proposed modifications strategy at Annex B be deferred until the consultation on the proposed additional modifications in Annex C has taken place.

Reason:     To enable Members to make a decision on how to proceed with the Neighbourhood Plan in relation to all proposed modifications with consideration for the responses received to the Neighbourhood Plan (Regulation 17A(2) consultation on Annex C.