Purpose

This report seeks approval of the Rochdale Local Plan: Publication Plan for public consultation and subsequent submission to the Secretary of State for independent examination

Decision

Cabinet considered a report of the Director of Economy and Place, which sought to inform of the outcome of the first round of consultation on the Draft Local Plan that had taken place between December 2025 and February 2026. The report also sought approval to commence consultation on the Rochdale Local Plan: Publication Plan no sooner than 10th August 2026 for a minimum of 6 weeks.

The Cabinet Member for Regeneration and Housing introduced the report. It was noted that there was no requirement to allocate additional sites for development; however, further work on the evidence base had led to proposed amendments to a number of policies, including the affordable housing policy following updated viability assessments.

The Cabinet Member explained that the proposed amendment would reduce the affordable housing requirement from 20% to 15%, but emphasised that this did not reduce the Council’s commitment to delivering affordable housing.

It was noted that planning policy formed only one part of the Council’s wider approach to housing delivery. Reference was made to the delivery of a significant number of affordable homes in the previous year, exceeding expectations, and to Cabinet’s approval of sites for social housing development. The continued use of Section 106 agreements was also highlighted. Cabinet was advised that officers recommended publication of the Local Plan for public consultation.

The Head of Planning Services, accompanied by the Assistant Director for Economy and the Principal Planning Officer, proceeded to present the report and addressed questions and comments from the Cabinet Members.

Officers informed that consultation on the Local Plan was undertaken in accordance with Regulation 18. The Council had first published a notice of its intention to prepare a Local Plan in 2024, inviting comments on the scope and content of the Plan, the Integrated Assessment and potential development sites. A further consultation on the Draft Local Plan had taken place between December 2025 and February 2026. A total of 45 responses were received from residents, stakeholders, developers and statutory consultees, and the feedback, together with additional supporting evidence, informed the preparation of the Publication Plan and proposed amendments to policies.

The report outlined that the Rochdale Local Plan: Publication Plan set out the vision, objectives and planning framework for the borough to 2039, covering themes including climate and energy, economic growth, housing, the natural environment, design, healthy communities and sustainable transport. No new development sites were allocated, as existing allocations and land supply were considered sufficient to meet future needs.

The report also proposed amending the affordable housing policy, reducing the target from 20% to 15% following updated viability evidence. It was emphasised that this change did not reduce the Council’s commitment to affordable housing, which would continue to be delivered through a range of mechanisms including partnerships with Registered Providers, Section 106 agreements and the Council’s own social housing programme.

Resolved:

1. That the Rochdale Local Plan: Publication Plan be approved for public consultation in accordance with Regulation 19 of the Town and Country Planning (Local Planning) (England) Regulations 2012;
2. That delegate authority be granted to the Assistant Director of Economy, in consultation with the relevant portfolio holder, to make minor or non-material amendments to the Rochdale Local Plan: Publication Plan prior to the commencement of the consultation.
3. That the feedback from the Communities, Regeneration and Environment Overview and Scrutiny Committee as set out in section 5.7 to the report be considered and noted.

Reason for decision:

Having an up-to-date local plan is a statutory requirement for all local planning authorities. The consultation on the Rochdale Local Plan: Publication Plan is a requirement under Regulation 19 of the 2012 Regulations.

The consultation would ensure that all stakeholders are given an opportunity to submit their final views on the content of the local plan. The local plan would ensure that development in the borough can come forward in a sustainable manner giving developers, investors, communities and the council certainty in decisions on planning matters.

The Government were in the process of reforming the current system for preparing Local Plans. In the meantime, for plans progressing to adoption under the current plan-making legal framework there was a requirement for these to be submitted to the Secretary of State for examination by 31 December 2026.

The Rochdale Local Plan was being prepared under the current system and is subject to The Town and Country Planning (Local Planning) (England) Regulation 2012 (‘the Regulations’). The plan must therefore be submitted to the Secretary of State for examination by 31 December 2026.

Alternatives considered and rejected:

There were not considered to be any reasonable alternative options. Having an up-to-date local plan is a statutory requirement and public consultation at key stages is a requirement of the regulations dealing with plan production.

Not progressing the local plan risks greater uncertainty and delay in delivering sustainable growth in the borough. It would also mean that the public and stakeholders would be prevented from commenting on the proposed plan, resulting in the plan being contrary to planning regulations and consequently not legally compliant.

As one of the nine Places for Everyone districts, the council needs to prepare a local plan which sets out more up-to-date detailed policies to enable effective decision-making and support wider objectives and priorities for the borough. Not having an up-to-date Local Plan could mean that developers are more likely to challenge our decisions on appeal and be more likely to succeed with that challenge as the existing Core Strategy and UDP policies get older.