Agenda item

REPORT OF THE STRATEGIC DIRECTOR OF PLANNING, HOUSING AND ENTERPRISE

To inform Cabinet of the current positions regarding:

·      Duty to Co-operate with neighbouring authorities;

·      Other Local Plans and Examinations;

·      North Hertfordshire Local Plan

·      Neighbourhood Plans;

·      Government announcements; and

·      Ongoing Policy work

RESOLVED:  That the report on Strategic Planning Matters be noted.

REASON FOR DECISION: To keep the Cabinet informed of recent developments on strategic planning matters and progress on the North Hertfordshire Local Plan.

The Executive Member for Planning and Enterprise presented the report of the Strategic Director of Planning, Housing and Enterprise informing Members of the current position regarding the Duty to Co-operate with neighbouring authorities; Other Local Plans and Examinations; North Hertfordshire Local Plan; Neighbourhood Plans; Government announcements; and Ongoing Policy work.  The following appendices were submitted with the report:

Appendix A – Copy of NHDC response to Central Bedfordshire Local Plan Regulation 18 consultation; and

Appendix B – Copy of NHDC response to Uttlesford Local Plan Regulation 18 consultation.

In respect of Duty to Co-operate, the Executive Member for Planning and Enterprise advised that, since June 2017, Memoranda of Understanding had been agreed and signed with the Greater Cambridge and Peterborough LEP, and St. Albans District Council under delegated responsibility to the Head of Planning and Building Control, in consultation with the Executive Member for Planning and Enterprise.  Others that were in the process of being agreed and signed were with Aylesbury Vale District Council and Luton Borough Council

With regard to other Local Plans and Examinations, the Executive Member for Planning and Enterprise reported as follows:

·           Central Bedfordshire - The Regulation 18 consultation on the Central Bedfordshire Council draft Local Plan closed on Tuesday, 29 August 2017.  The North Hertfordshire District Council response was attached at Appendix A to the report;

·           Uttlesford - Uttlesford District Council had recently undertaken their Regulation 18 stage consultation on their Local Plan, which closed on Monday, 4 September 2017.  Again, North Hertfordshire District Council had submitted a response to this consultation, which was attached at Appendix B to the report;

·           Luton - The Inspector’s report on the examination into the Luton Borough Council Local Plan 2011-2031 had now been published.  The Inspector had concluded that, with the recommended main modifications to the Plan, the Luton Local Plan satisfies the various legal requirements, and had found the Plan to be sound.  Luton Council would consider this report and adoption of the Plan at a future Council meeting;

·           Stevenage – Stevenage Borough Council was awaiting the Inspector’s report on the modifications to its Plan following the Examination held earlier in 2017;

·           East Hertfordshire - East Hertfordshire District Council had submitted its Local Plan to the Secretary of State for Examination on 31 March 2017.  Stage 1 would take place from 3 to 12 October 2017 and the Stage 2 sessions were scheduled run from 7 to 10 November 2017; and

·           Welwyn Hatfield - Welwyn Hatfield Borough Council had submitted their Local Plan to the Secretary of State for Examination on 15 May 2017.  Stage 1 would take place on 21 September 2017 (and 22 September 2017, if required).  The Stage 2 sessions were scheduled to run from 24 October 2017 to 3 November 2017. 

In relation to the North Hertfordshire Local Plan, the Executive Member for Planning and Enterprise advised that the Examination Inspector had published the timetable and schedule of matters for consideration at the Examination.  The sessions would be held during the weeks commencing 13, 20 and 27 November 2017, and during the week commencing 11 December 2017.  All sessions would be held at the Icknield Centre in Letchworth Garden City.  Everyone who had made a representation would be contacted by the Programme Officer and provided with the details and guidance notes for the hearing sessions.

In respect of Neighbourhood Plans, the Executive Member for Planning and Enterprise explained that the Council, in consultation with Pirton Parish Council, had appointed an independent examiner into the Pirton Neighbourhood Plan.  The Examination will be undertaken during October 2017 and was anticipated to be dealt with by written representation.  The Council was in the process of providing all necessary documentation to the examiner.  As previously reported, consultation on the Wymondley Neighbourhood Plan had taken place between 23 June 2017 and 4 August 2017.  Responses were received from approximately 30 individuals and organisations.  Officers were in the process of collating the representations received which would then be made available to view on the Council’s website.  Once collated, these would be considered by an independent examiner. 

With regard to Government announcements, the Executive Member for Planning and Enterprise advised that the Government had published its latest consultation paper on the Housing White Paper.  It stipulated that, as from March 2018, the method of calculating a Local Authorities Objectively Assessed Need for housing growth should be based on a standard formula (which should be based on Office of National Statistics figures).  For North Hertfordshire, there was therefore the potential for a further 40% increase in the number of dwellings required to be built in excess of those already identified in the Local Plan.  However, those Local Authorities who had progressed their Local Plans up to Examination Stage would be allowed to rely on the housing figures set out in their published Plans.

The Executive Member for Planning and Enterprise answered a number of Member’s questions on the report.

RESOLVED:  That the report on Strategic Planning Matters be noted.

REASON FOR DECISION: To keep the Cabinet informed of recent developments on strategic planning matters and progress on the North Hertfordshire Local Plan.