Agenda item

Report of the Director of Planning and Property attached.

Decision made:

1.    That Cabinet approves the Central Lancashire Issues and Options paper in Appendix One as the first stage in the preparation of the new Central Lancashire Local Plan, in accordance with Regulation 18 of the Town and Country Planning (Local Planning) (England) Regulations 2012.

2.    That Cabinet approves the document as drafted, recognising that to make any changes at this stage would delay the subsequent approval of the final version as the same version must be approved by all three Councils.

3.    That Cabinet approves the proposed methods of consultation including the online portal Citizenspace, and the programme for drop-in events and elected member learning sessions.

4.    That Cabinet approves the key timetable for the consultation commencing on Monday 18 November 2019 at 12.01am and closing at 12.59pm on Friday 14 February 2020, making sure that all Neighbourhood Forums are consulted.

5.    That Cabinet agree to the commencement of the consultation upon the arrival by all three Central Lancashire councils (subject to any call-in periods).

6.    That Cabinet grants delegated authority to the Director of Planning and Property in consultation with the Portfolio Holder for Planning, Regeneration and City Deal, to undertake any minor text, layout and formatting changes as necessary.

The Cabinet Member for Planning, Regeneration and City Deal, Councillor Bill Evans presented a report of the Director of Planning and Property that presented the Central Lancashire Local Plan Issues and Options Consultation Paper, November 2019 for approval alongside details of the consultation, methods and programme. The Issues and Options Consultation paper has been endorsed by the Central Lancashire Joint Advisory Committee and therefore is a final version.

In response to queries from Members, Councillor Bill Evans explained that residents would be able to take part in the consultation by attending one of the organised drop-in sessions, if they did not have digital access and provided assurances that all the neighbourhood areas would be consulted upon.

In response to a comment made by Councillor Phil Smith on his disappointment in the process, the Interim Chief Executive explained that this was just the first stage of the process and that a lot more consultation would take place with Members ahead of its completion.

Decision made (Unanimously):

1.    That Cabinet approves the Central Lancashire Issues and Options paper in Appendix One as the first stage in the preparation of the new Central Lancashire Local Plan, in accordance with Regulation 18 of the Town and Country Planning (Local Planning) (England) Regulations 2012.

2.    That Cabinet approves the document as drafted, recognising that to make any changes at this stage would delay the subsequent approval of the final version as the same version must be approved by all three Councils.

3.    That Cabinet approves the proposed methods of consultation including the online portal Citizenspace, and the programme for drop-in events and elected member learning sessions.

4.    That Cabinet approves the key timetable for the consultation commencing on Monday 18 November 2019 at 12.01am and closing at 12.59pm on Friday 14 February 2020, making sure that all Neighbourhood Forums are consulted.

5.   That Cabinet agree to the commencement of the consultation upon the approval by all three Central Lancashire councils (subject to any call-in periods).

6.   That Cabinet grants delegated authority to the Director of Planning and Property in consultation with the Portfolio Holder for Planning, Regeneration and City Deal, to undertake any minor text, layout and formatting changes as necessary.

Reason(s) for the decision:

1.     The preparation of a new Local (Development) Plan is now required across Central Lancashire as the existing Core Strategy adopted in 2012, is now more than five years out of date. The Issues and Options consultation is the first stage towards the preparation of the new Local Plan, which considers the challenges and opportunities arising from the evidence collected to inform the new Local Plan, whilst also taking account of wider national policy objectives, priorities and strategies.

2.     This new Local Plan must be prepared in accordance with the Town and Country Planning (Local Planning)(England) Regulations 2012 and the first stage is referred to as Regulation 18 under which, we will be preparing the Issues and Options Document, and the next planned consultation which will be the Preferred Options, expected in late 2020/21.

3.     There is a strategic rationale for the three councils of Preston, Chorley and South Ribble working collaboratively to produce a single Local Plan, as a single housing market area, and functional economic market area with evidence to support high levels of spatial self-containment.

4.     There are efficiencies to be gained by working collectively as plan-making is resource intensive and the Minister of Housing, Communities and Local Government have provided funding to Central Lancashire to work together in plan preparation.

Alternative Options Considered and Rejected:

None