Content

Decision
 
RESOLVED that Cabinet
recommend to Council:
 
(1) That the Local Plan
continues to progress towards a Regulation 18 and Regulation 19
consultation prior to submission (Regulation 22) by the end of
2026;
(2) Approves the approach to
funding set out in Section 6 of the report.
 
Reasons for
decision
 
On the 26th March 2025 a report titled
‘Local Plan Update: Regeneration for Growth’ was agreed
by Council. This report sought approval for a regeneration-led
approach to the Local Plan and commensurate funding requirement to
support the approach. This report set out a mechanism to review
progress after one year in order to continue with the Local Plan
programme into the forthcoming years.
 
Alternative Options
Considered
 
The Cabinet could have decided not to progress
with work on the Local Plan beyond the current gateway. This would
mean that the Local Plan would not be submitted under the existing
plan-making system and would need to be progressed under the, as
yet unconfirmed, new planning system. Such an approach would be
subject to its own significant risks. This alternative option would
also mean that the existing local planning policy vacuum would
continue, and the borough would be subject, as it has been already,
to speculative development where decisions will need to be taken in
accordance with national policy. Further risks are also identified
in paragraphs 5.20 to 5.23 of the report.