Issue - meetings

The purpose of this report is to update Members on progress on the Local Plan and the work that is being undertaken to respond to both the changing national and local context.

Resolved:  That the Executive note progress on the Local Plan and the work that is being undertaken to respond to both the changing national and local context.

Reason:     So that a National Planning Policy Framework compliant Local Plan can be progressed.

The Executive considered an update report on progress on the Local Plan. It was noted that, in response to the Council resolution and the changing national and local context that Officers had started work to update the evidence base to inform the next stage of plan production and that this would form the basis of reports to Local Plan Working Group meetings from September onwards.

It was also noted that a further report would be brought to the Executive once the outstanding work in respect of the evidence base had been completed.

        The Executive Member highlighted the changes proposed to the Plan, in particular in the areas of housing density and the green belt and the duty to co-operate and he referred to public support and the need to incorporate resident’s views.

        Councillors Williams and D’Agorne expressed support for the progress to date with the plan preparation but highlighting concerns regarding density and the housing crisis in the city which was likely to require development in the green belt.

Resolved:   (i)     That the Executive note progress on the Local Plan and the work that is being undertaken to respond to both the changing national and local context.

(ii)      That approval be given to the release of £65k from contingency to fund the additional work outlined in the report.

Reason:    (i)       So that a National Planning Policy Framework compliant Local Plan can be progressed.

(ii)        So that the additional evidence base studies identified in the report can be funded within budget.