Agenda item

This report advises Members on the production of a revised Local Development Scheme (LDS) for the City as required under the Planning & Compulsory Purchase Act (2004). The LDS is effectively the project plan for the delivery of the Local Development Framework. The report outlines the implications arising from the changes to Government Guidance (PPS12),  the formal requirements relating to the production of an LDS, and financial implications.

Members considered a report which advised them of the production of a revised Local Development Scheme (LDS) for the City as required under the Planning & Compulsory Purchase Act (2004).  The LDS was effectively the project plan for the delivery of the Local Development Framework. The report outlined the implications arising from the changes to the Government Guidance (PPS12), the formal requirements related to the production of the LDS, and financial implications. A draft of the LDS was attached as Annex A to the report and, for the purposes of comparison, the last timetable provided for members was attached as Annex B.  Members were invited to comment on the draft LDS and recommend it for formal submission to the Government Office of Yorkshire and the Humber.

Officers stressed that the key change in the Government guidance, as re-published in June 2008, was a reduction in statutory consultation stages in favour of a process of continuous consultation. This now meant that before submission, consultation had taken place, and comments were fed to the Planning Inspectorate. Other key changes include an emphasis on the Core Strategy, including the highlighting of key strategic sites, and also changes to the test of soundness to ensure that plans are justified, effective and consistent. At the submission stage, the authority should be satisfied that the document was sound and ready for submission. It was added that, overall, the timetable was not substantially different, but that there were milestone changes as outlined in Table 1 on Page 9 of the LDS.

Members asked what would now be done differently, considering that the process was now well under way. Officers advised that the content of the  Core Strategy would not change; the key change would be the approach to consultation although the Council would still need to demonstrate that at the key submission stage all alternatives had been considered.

Members requested clarification on the status of the Open Space Study (PPG17). Officers advised that the PPG17 Study was virtually complete and would be complete when the LDS was formally submitted.

Members expressed a view that multiple consultations at the early stages could be unnecessary, lengthy and bureaucratic.  In addition questions were asked about the nature of the infrastructure provision work referred to in paragraph 20 on page 12.  Officers responded that it must be shown that the plan and the sites within it were deliverable at the submission stage and that the emerging good practice would be monitored and used.

Members expressed concern that the Green Infrastructure Supplementary Planning Document referred to on page 27 of the Draft LDS would not be adopted until 2011 when it should be central to the Core Strategy. Officers confirmed that work on this, whilst it would run alongside and influence the Core Strategy, would need to be formally adopted as a Supplementary Planning Document following adoption of the Core Strategy itself.

Members also asked whether the evidence base of the 2001 Census was sound and whether, with the recent economic changes, the assessment would be valid. Officers responded that the study was looking at a 20-year period with in-built conservatism and that Officers were constantly looking at the evidence to see if it was fit for purpose. Members asked whether the Origin and Destination Study 2007 could be drawn on.  Officers indicated that they would liaise with the Transport Planning Unit (TPU) to ensure that the most up-to-date evidence base was used.

Members asked about the status of documents in Annex C on Page 27 of the LDS.

The following comments and changes were agreed:

• On page 5 of the Draft LDS (figure 2 document timescales) Officers to look in to the possibility of minimising the effect of summer and Christmas breaks upon the consultation on the Core Strategy and Allocations Development Plan documents.

• That any Village Design Statements that are currently in progress and not included in the list on page 27 (Annex C Planning Guidance) of the Draft LDS are included.

• That Members be kept updated on any progress made on the Green Infrastructure and Green Corridors work.

• That the titles of the documents in Annex C be amended to reflect their status in terms of their effect upon planning decisions.

RESOLVED: (i) That the Executive be recommended to approve, subject to the recommendations of this working group as recorded above, the proposed Local Development Scheme included as Annex A to the Officers report for formal submission to Government Office for Yorkshire and the Humber.

REASON:      So that the Local Development Scheme can be submitted to the Government Office for Yorkshire and Humber.

(ii) That authority be delegated to the Director of City Strategy in consultation with the Executive Member and Shadow Executive Member for City Strategy, for the making of any other necessary changes arising from either the recommendation of the LDF Working Group or Executive, prior to its submission to Government Office.¹

REASON:      So that any recommended changes can be incorporated into the Local Development Scheme prior to its formal submission to Government Office.

                        (iii)       That authority be delegated to the Director of City Strategy in consultation with the Executive Member and Shadow Executive Member for City Strategy for the making of any changes arising from comments made by Government Office or the Planning Inspectorate following formal submission.

REASON:      So that any comments made by the Government Office or the Planning Inspectorate can be incorporated into the Local Development Scheme.