RESOLVED: That Cabinet:
(1) Endorsed the scope, structure and detailed codes drafted to date for the draft Design Code SPD, attached as Appendix A for the purpose of the consultation only.
(2) Approved the draft Design Code SPD for a period of public consultation in accordance with the Town and Country Planning (Local Planning) (England) Regulations 2012.
(3) Delegated authority was granted to the Director: Place in consultation with the Executive Member for Place to finalise the consultation draft, including the approval of any outstanding technical, illustrative or presentational elements, provided that no changes are made which would materially alter the policy intent, scope or effect of the draft SPD endorsed by Cabinet.
REASONS FOR DECISIONS:
(1) To allow the draft Design Code SPD to be progressed to public consultation so that it may be developed and eventually adopted to support the Local Plan and decisions on planning applications.
(2) To support a common standard for design quality across North Herts.
(3) To reinforce and deliver the Council’s pledges and ambitions as set out in the Climate and Ecological Emergency declarations through design.
(4) To ensure the best prospects of the Design Code SPD being finalised and approved before the Government’s recently announced ‘cut off’ date of 30 June 2026 for planning documents of this nature to be adopted.