That:

1)              the Local Plan Update: Revised Growth Strategy consultation document (as set out in enclosure 1 to the report) be agreed for consultation;

2)              the consultation framework, as set out in the report, be agreed;

3)              that minor changes to the content of the Local Plan Update: Revised Growth Strategy consultation document, and the production of studies and materials produced to support the consultation, be delegated to the Director of Place and Growth in consultation with the Executive Member for Planning and Enforcement.

(Councillors John Halsall and Graham Howe declared personal interests in this item)

The Executive considered a report relating to the Local Plan Update which was the document that would guide how development would be managed in most circumstances.

During his introduction the Executive Member for Planning and Enforcement drew the meeting’s attention to the extensive consultation process that was to be carried out, which would start on 22 November 2021, and was outlined in the report.  This included the fact that anyone registered on the existing Planning Policy consultation database and other information databases would be notified about the consultation.  In addition, all households in the Borough would receive ‘postcard’ notification of the consultation, including details of the six engagement events; some of which would be held in person and others virtually.

Councillor Smith highlighted the extensive work undertaken by Officers to try and find brownfield sites within the Borough that could be used for housing.  Some of those sites that they did manage to find were currently used for employment purposes and the owners of these sites were not willing to give them up for housing as they were more valuable to them for employment.   Giving the difficulty finding available and suitable brownfield sites Councillor Smith urged residents to come forward if they knew of any such sites that the Council had not previously looked at. 

As stated earlier in the meeting Councillor Smith confirmed that the end date of the consultation would now be 24^th January 2022.

RESOLVED that:

1)              the Local Plan Update: Revised Growth Strategy consultation document (as set out in enclosure 1 to the report) be agreed for consultation;

2)              the consultation framework, as set out in the report, be agreed;

3)              that minor changes to the content of the Local Plan Update: Revised Growth Strategy consultation document, and the production of studies and materials produced to support the consultation, be delegated to the Director of Place and Growth in consultation with the Executive Member for Planning and Enforcement.