Decision Maker:

Outcome: Recommendations Approved

Is Key Decision?: No

Is Callable In?: Yes

Date of Decision: February 20, 2025

Purpose: The review of the Local Development Scheme has been carried out in response to a request from the Secretary of State, in the Chief Planner letter dated 13 December 2024, that local planning authorities review their LDS, in the light of the publication of the new National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF).   The Council’s current Local Development Scheme was agreed in July 2024, shortly before, but in anticipation of, the proposed changes to the NPPF, and to the Plan-making process and related matters.   It is the recommendation of officers that the work programme set out in the current LDS remains valid.   There are two minor amendments that need to be made to the table (section 3, p7)  in the published Local Development Scheme (LDS).  These do not affect the list of documents identified in the LDS; the scope of the documents; or the overall timetable:   1.  In relation to the Council’s Biodiversity Strategy - as a result of some delays in obtaining some critical species data, this work will now continue through the next year, so the Biodiversity Strategy should be included in the list of tasks identified for March 2025 - December 2025; and   2.  In relation to the East Kent Design Code work - as a result of changing Government guidance in relation to the preparation of Design Codes, the references to different “phases” should be removed. This is likely to be a much more continuous process than previously envisaged.

Content: Cabinet agreed the reviewed Local Development Scheme to be published and details submitted to the Ministry of Housing, Communities & Local Government (MHCLG).