Decision details

Decision details

Review of North Devon and Torridge Local Plan 2011-2031

Decision Maker: Strategy and Resources Committee, Council

Decision status: For Determination

Is Key decision?: Yes

Is subject to call in?: No

Decisions:

The Committee considered a report by the Head of Place (circulated previously) regarding the review of the North Devon and Torridge Local Plan 2011-2031.

 

The Lead Officer Planning Officer highlighted the following:

 

·       The North Devon and Torridge Local Plan 2011-2031 had been adopted by both District Councils on 29 October 2018.  Since that time the local context for it had changed substantially across a number of key policy areas which warranted an early review.

·       National planning policy required a review of a Local Plan to be completed within five years of its adoption, however local planning authorities were entitled to undertake an early review should they wish to do so.

·       The Government’s consultation on proposed changes to the planning system in early 2020, set out a deadline of December 2023 for all local planning authorities to have an up-to-date local plan.  The joint local plan would have been adopted over five years at that time and would not be considered as up-to-date at that point.

·       The Joint Local Plan Working Group had endorsed the move towards a formal review of the Local Plan and it had been agreed that associated reports be prepared in parallel and consistent manner for consideration by both Councils.

·       The first stage in reviewing the Local Plan required a formal decision by each Council to agree the fundamental principles as detailed in the report. 

·       Once the key principles had been agreed by both Councils, a range of actions would be required as part of the early stages of plan preparation as outlined in the report.

·       Active engagement with all elected Members from both Councils would commence at an early stage to enable them to identify key issues and options to be addressed within a new Local Plan, whilst identifying any particular approaches, policies or policy gaps they wish to be considered.

 

RECOMMENDED that the Council:

 

(a)

 

Commit to working in partnership with Torridge District Council to carry out a comprehensive review and update of the North Devon and Torridge Local Plan on a joint basis;

 

(b)

 

Review the governance arrangements for the preparation of the Local Plan to ensure inclusive, effective and efficient oversight and engagement;

 

(c)

Review the Local Development Scheme in partnership with Torridge District Council;

 

(d)

Arrange Member workshops to enable early involvement in identifying key issues and potential options to be addressed through a new Local Plan.

 

Report author: Andrew Austen

Publication date: 17/11/2020

Date of decision: 02/11/2020

Decided at meeting: 02/11/2020 - Strategy and Resources Committee

Accompanying Documents: