Issue - meetings

REPORT OF THE SERVICE DIRECTOR – REGULATORY

Cabinet is requested to note the review of the policies and agree to undertake the full update of the North Hertfordshire Local Plan.

RESOLVED:

(1)   That Cabinet noted the results of the review of the policies of the NHLP set out in Appendix A and the PAS toolkit in Appendix B.

(2)   That Cabinet agreed that a full review and update of the NHLP is undertaken.

(3)   That work commenced during 2024/25 on updating the technical studies needed to provide a robust evidence base to inform an update of the Local Plan and early community engagement take place.

(4)   That a further report on the detailed scope of the update and the timetable for its preparation, submission and examination was prepared at the earliest opportunity once the implications of the new National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF) are better understood and the statutory framework required to implement the reforms has been approved.

REASON FOR DECISIONS: To ensure that North Herts Council fulfils its commitments as set out in Policy IMR2 of the North Herts Local Plan which requires the Council to undertake a whole plan review by the end of 2023 to determine whether the plan needs to be updated either in whole or in part.

 Audio Recording – 57 minutes 13 seconds

The Chair invited Councillor Val Bryant, as Vice Chair of Overview and Scrutiny Committee, to present the referral on this item. Councillor Bryant advised that:

·       The results of the review were set out in Appendix A and Appendix B.

·       The recommendation was that a full review of the Local Plan was undertaken.

·       Work should commence in 2024/25 to update the technical studies required to update the Local Plan.

Councillor Ian Mantle, Deputy Executive Member for Planning and Transport, presented the report entitled ‘Local Plan Review’ and advised that:

·       The district Local Plan even though recently adopted, was effectively ten years out of date.

·       A full review needed to be undertaken to take account of the changes in both council policy and in the national framework.

·       This review should commence as soon as practicable, but it should not be rushed to meet any deadlines.

Councillor Elizabeth Dennis proposed and Councillor Steve Jarvis seconded and, following a vote, it was:

RESOLVED:

(1)   That Cabinet noted the results of the review of the policies of the NHLP set out in Appendix A and the PAS toolkit in Appendix B.

(2)   That Cabinet agreed that a full review and update of the NHLP is undertaken.

(3)   That work commenced during 2024/25 on updating the technical studies needed to provide a robust evidence base to inform an update of the Local Plan and early community engagement take place.

(4)   That a further report on the detailed scope of the update and the timetable for its preparation, submission and examination was prepared at the earliest opportunity once the implications of the new National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF) are better understood and the statutory framework required to implement the reforms has been approved.

REASON FOR DECISIONS: To ensure that North Herts Council fulfils its commitments as set out in Policy IMR2 of the North Herts Local Plan which requires the Council to undertake a whole plan review by the end of 2023 to determine whether the plan needs to be updated either in whole or in part.