Purpose

The Local Plan is at a stage where before further work can progress, public consultation is necessary on the draft at Regulation 18.This ensures that plan is prepared accordingly with the relevant Regulations and can pass the soundness test at Examination. This stage focusses on the spatial strategy and detailed policies that will be included the local plan, prior to their finalisation. The plan provides the guide for where future development in the borough is to be located, and the policy requirement placed on that development. An eight week consultation to start approx. 6th January 2026 will allow for public consultation on the plan to be undertaken whilst avoiding the Christmas/Newyear period.

The updated Local Development Scheme (March 2025, sets out the timetable for submitting the final version of the plan to government for independent examination by December 2026), is in compliance with this deadline.

The decision being sought is for Cabinet approval to undertake public consultation on the Local Plan as part of the preparation of the Eastbourne Local Plan as per Planning legislation and Regulations.

Decision

(Key decision):

1)    That Cabinet approves the publication of the Draft Eastbourne Local Plan (Appendix 1 to the report) for public consultation under Regulation 18 of the Town and Country Planning (Local Planning) (England) Regulations 2012 (as amended) for a period of eight weeks between Friday 13 February and Friday 10 April 2026.

2)    That Cabinet delegates authority to the Chief Executive, in consultation with the Cabinet Member for Regulatory Services, Staff and Performance, Enterprise, to make any necessary editorial changes and minor amendments to the consultation document prior to publication if necessary.