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.