Purpose

This
report sets out an update to the Council’s Local Development
Scheme (LDS), dated October 2024.  In
particular it sets out updated indicative timetables for the
remaining stages for the production and adoption of the new TWBC
Local Plan and the Royal Tunbridge Wells Town Centre
Plan.

Decision

RESOLVED: That the Local Development
Scheme (October 2024) as attached at Appendix A comes into effect
from 31 October 2024 and be published on the Council’s
website, be approved.

Reasons for the decision

To update the LDS as attached
at Appendix A would provide interested parties with clear
information on the scope and timetable for the production and
adoption of the new Local Plan, RTW Town Centre Plan and SPDs,
including the timetable for public engagement in the preparation of
the RTW Town Centre Plan and SPDs. The scope of these documents is
considered to be the most appropriate given the wider Local Plan
policy requirements, with the timetable considered to be the
optimum balancing progress of the Local Plan and particularly the
indications of certainty of soundness to be provided by the
Inspector’s report (expected January – March 2025),
with the need to produce the documents promptly given the
timescales for delivering the strategic sites and framework for RTW
town centre. 

Alternative options considered

Do
not update the LDS.  This means that
progress on the Local Plan would not follow the Local Plan
timetable set out in the current LDS (June 2024), meaning that
local residents, statutory agencies, businesses, landowners,
developers, and the Planning Inspectorate would not have up-to-date
information on the progress/production of the new Local Plan. This
would be a significant risk at Examination, which requires
production of the Local Plan to follow a published LDS.
Furthermore, there would be consequential effects on the production
of the RTW Town Centre Plan and SPDs. This would be contrary to
best practice, legislation and national planning practice
guidance. 
 
Update the LDS but propose a different programme and scope of
the planning policy documents. This option would delay publication
of an updated LDS ahead of the further ‘Stage 3’
Hearing Session(s) scheduled for the 14th and 15th of November
2024, meaning that progress on the Local Plan would not follow a
published LDS. As per Option 1, this is a risk.