Decision Maker: Cabinet

Outcome: Recommendations Approved

Is Key Decision?: Yes

Is Callable In?: Yes

Date of Decision: February 26, 2025

Purpose:

Content: RESOLVED     i)               The Local Development Scheme 2025 attached as Appendix 1 be approved   ii)              That the Local Development Scheme is to have effect from 27 February 2025.   iii)             The submission of the Local Development Scheme 2025 to the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government (MHCLG) be approved.   REASONS   i)               Local Planning Authorities are under a legal duty to prepare and maintain a document setting out the programme for the preparation of planning documents. The Council’s current LDS was published in September 2023, and has since become out of date due to unforeseen delays to the progress of the Local Plan, hence an update is necessary.   ii)              It is a legal requirement that the local planning authority must formally resolve to bring the LDS into effect and to specify the date for this.   iii)             The Chief Planning Officer for MHCLG has written to all local planning authorities instructing that they produce an updated Local Development Scheme (LDS) within 12 weeks of the publication of the (December 2024) NPPF (deadline 6 March 2025).       ALTERNATIVE OPTIONS CONSIDERED BUT REJECTED AS IDENTIFIED IN THE REPORT   Under the duties conferred on the Council by the Planning and Compulsory Purchase Act 2004 (as amended), the Council must produce and maintain a Local Development Scheme. There is no other legal course of action available.   Alternatives to the LDS content presented as Appendix 1 are limited. One alternative would be to assume withdrawal of the current HDLP 2023-40, and immediately begin a review. Under transitional arrangements, it is permitted to prepare a local plan under the current system, but this would have to be submitted for Examination in its final form by 12 December 2026. Under this scenario, the ‘new’ Plan would be examined under the current (December 2024) NPPF and therefore be subject to the higher local housing need figure (currently 1,357 dwellings per annum). Officers consider that the probability of achieving this very tight timeline, in light of a much more challenging housing target, and the consequent evidence base updates that would be required is minimal and at this stage is not considered a realistic option to pursue.