The Development Plan and Infrastructure Panel will receive a verbal update on the Local Plan following Examination.
Minutes:
The Chairman invited Mr Whitty to give an update.
Mr Whitty informed the Panel the first set of Local Plan Examination Hearings had been held between the 1 and 10 October 2024, the following matters were addressed; procedural and legal requirements, strategic policies, spatial strategy, transport, employment, and housing and allocations policies. There was then a period of adjournment before the final day Hearing which took place on 13 November where other policies were considered.
Mr Whitty explained the Inspectors had commented that they were able to move quickly through the Hearings due to the Council addressing most of the 268 questions they had provided in advance.
The Hearings were well attended, they were also streamed online so those unable to attend could still view proceedings.
Mr Whitty informed the Panel that he understood that the Inspectors had begun to draft their ‘post Hearings’ letter, he understood this was progressing well.
Mr Whitty explained to the Panel that the Inspectors had raised fifty-nine action points. He confirmed most of these points had now been addressed and returned to the Inspectors.
Mr Whitty gave the following examples of where further information had been sought and provided;
- A transport methodology statement which informed policy T1
- A note on the Duty to Cooperate in the north of the Plan area.
- A note on the settlement policy boundaries indicating when they were last reviewed and the criteria for when they would be reviewed again.
- An agreed statement with Natural England on Air Quality in the north of the Plan area. Mr Whitty confirmed Natural England had made it clear they did not object to the Plan but had suggested a policy modification.
- Further information on employment data particularly in relation HDA’s.
- An updated note on Gypsy and Travellers and Travelling Showpeople’s matters including permissions to date; tolerated sites and information on how strategic sites could provide some of the identified need.
- A note on self-build outlining how it was anticipated to be delivered through windfall development.
Some of the outstanding issues included;
- Further discussion with Landlink and Knightsbridge regarding the HDA policy (Mr Whitty confirmed this had now taken place).
- An issue regarding the Strategic Flood Risk Assessment (SFRA) which had been identified during the recent Stubbcroft appeal. Officers had now reviewed this, and a note had been prepared, however, the Planning Inspectors had indicated they did not want to receive the note until the outcome of the appeal was known.
- A number of changes were required to some of the housing policies including amendments to the format used, ensuring it was easy to identify where extant applications had been deducted from Parish numbers.
- Further information was required to clearly define how demonstrable progress would be measured on Neighbourhood Plans housing delivery.
Mr Whitty informed the Panel all outstanding matters would be submitted to the Inspectors by the beginning of December.
Mr Whitty explained the Inspectors had requested the Schedule of Modifications be submitted in a very specific format. He explained the reason for the request and confirmed the Council would provide an interim update, before changing to the prescribed format.
The Inspectors had also requested further clarification on the proposed relationship between the Local Plan and Neighbourhood Plans, for example the Strategic Wildlife Corridor Policy and Southbourne Neighbourhood Plan’s Blue and Green Infrastructure Policy. This was to prevent confusion in the future over which policy had precedent.
Mr Whitty explained the Inspectors had also noted discrepancies between the proposed heritage policies and the NPPF, officers were currently addressing these.
Mr Whitty informed the Panel that the Inspectors had confirmed they would not issue their letter until the outcome of both the Stubbcroft and Crouchlands appeals were known, due to the impact the decisions could have on housing numbers and the SFRA.
Going forward, it was hoped the post hearings letter would be received by the end of the year. Upon its receipt officers would consider any suggested modifications, a further six-week consultation would be required on any amended modifications, after which a final letter from the Inspectors would be issued. It was anticipated the Local Plan would be adopted by Spring 2025.
Officers responded to comments and questions as follows;
On the matter of engaging with statutory consultees going forward; Mr Frost acknowledged there had been challenges in some areas, however, he explained it was important to focus on the future and not the past.
On the matter of what weight could now be applied to the Local Plan; Mr Whitty explained that it still had moderate weight, only gaining full weight when adopted. However, once the post hearings letter was received certain policies may start to gain a little more weight if they have not been challenged by the Inspector.
Cllr Moss thanked all those who had been involved in developing the Local Plan and getting through to the Examination stage.