Issue - meetings

STRATEGIC PLANNING MATTERS

Meeting: 14/04/2026 - Cabinet (Item 38)

38 STRATEGIC PLANNING MATTERS PDF 266 KB

REPORT OF THE INTERIM STRATEGIC PLANNNG MANAGER

This report identifies the latest position on key planning and transport issues affecting the Council.

Additional documents:

Decision:

RESOLVED: That Cabinet:

(1) Noted the report on strategic planning matters.

(2) Endorsed the responses in Appendices A, B and C; and the proposed next steps in relation to the Local Plan review.

REASON FOR DECISIONS: To keep Cabinet informed of recent developments on strategic planning matters.

Minutes:

Audio recording – 5 minutes 34 seconds

Councillor Donna Wright, as Executive Member for Place, presented the report entitled ‘Strategic Planning Matters’ and advised that:

· This report detailed the latest position on key planning and transport issues affecting the Council since it was last updated in January 2026.

· The consultation by government on proposed reforms to the National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF) closed on 10 March and the response from the Council was detailed in Appendix A.

· A new layer of strategic plans, Spatial Development Strategies (SDS) had been consulted on as part of the new plan-making system and this proposal was supported by the Hertfordshire Growth Board.

· The regulations for the new plan-making system came into effect on 25 March 2026 which set the requirements for Local Plans to be prepared within a 30 month period.

· Further consultations were released in March 2026 in relation to the proposed National Scheme of Delegation for planning committees.

· Amendments to Part L of the Building Regulations would come into effect in March 2026 to ensure new homes were zero carbon in use.

· The Council would publish a formal notice of intention to review the Local Plan this month with the mandatory 4-month period ending in October 2026.

· An appeal would be heard in May 2026 seeking to overturn the proposed expansion of Luton Airport and subject to the outcome of this hearing, Luton Rising would seek to implement the proposed expansion later this year.

· The status of the six strategic sites in the Local Plan was summarised in paragraph 8.20 of the report.

· The Council maintained regular contact with the six neighbouring local authorities on the status of their Local Plans.

· The Town Centres Strategy was consulted on between 3 December 2025 and 30 January 2026 and officers were undertaking an analysis of the results. A final Town Centre Strategy would be presented to Cabinet for adoption in June/July 2026.

Councillor Donna Wright proposed and Councillor Daniel Allen seconded and, following a vote, it was: