Purpose

To approve the draft Breckland Local Plan
Preferred Options document for publication and consultation with
residents, business and stakeholders.

Decision

RESOLVED that:
1.    
the Draft Local Plan (Regulation 18) set out in
Appendix 1 to the report be approved.
2.    
that the Draft Plan included at Appendix 1 of the
report be agreed and published for consultation for a period of at
least 6 weeks.
3.    
delegated authority be granted to the Deputy Chief
Executive, in consultation with the Leader of the Councilto make
any necessary typographical or other minor changes to Appendix 1 of
the report prior to publication for consultation.
 

Reasons for the decision

The Draft Local Plan proposed
at Appendix 1 of the report builds on the extensive community
engagement that has been ongoing since March 2023 and sets out a
full draft Local Plan, which incorporates a series of options for
strategic development and preferred options for sustainable growth
across the district’s settlements.
 
The preparation of a Local Plan
is a statutory requirement and must follow a statutory procedure,
including public consultation and examination. If the Authority
were to pursue a different approach overall preparation of a new
Local Plan for Breckland would be substantially delayed leading to
potential risk in the ongoing management and delivery of
development in the district.

Alternative options considered

1.    
To agree the proposed Draft Local Plan included at
Appendix 1 of the report for Consultation, providing delegated
authority for minor amendments to the Plan ahead of its publication
for consultation.
 

2.    
To not undertake consultation on the draft Local
Plan included at Appendix 1 and request substantial amendments to
the Plan or seek a different approach.