Decision details

West Northamptonshire Strategic Plan: Spatial Options Consultation and Statement of Community Involvement and West Northamptonshire Local Development Scheme

Decision Maker: Cabinet

Decision status: For Determination

Is Key decision?: Yes

Is subject to call in?: No

Decision:

RESOLVED: Cabinet;

a)    Approved the West Northamptonshire Strategic Plan: Spatial Options Consultation Paper (Appendix A) for the purposes of public consultation as set out in the report.

b)    Approved the West Northamptonshire Local Development Scheme (Appendix B) which would have effect upon expiry of the call-in period for Cabinet decisions.

c)     Noted the responses to the consultation on the draft Statement of Community Involvement and adopted the Statement of Community Involvement with the amendments set out in Appendix C.

d)    Delegated to the Assistant Director: Growth, Climate and Regeneration, in consultation with the Portfolio Holder for Planning, Built Environment and Rural Affairs, authority to make minor editorial and presentational changes to the above documents in their final published form.

 

REASONS:

1.     The development plan (or local plan) is central to the planning system with a requirement in law that planning decisions must be taken in line with the development plan unless material considerations indicate otherwise. Each local planning authority must identify their strategic priorities and have policies to address these in their local plans. It is essential that plans are in place and up to date. The preparation of the West Northamptonshire Strategic Plan is required to ensure that the new council has an up-to-date development plan, and the spatial options consultation is the key next step in the preparation of the plan.

2.     An LDS is required which sets out the Local Plans, which when prepared, will comprise part of the development plan for the area. The LDS must be made available publicly and kept up to date. For West Northamptonshire a new LDS is needed to set out the revised timetable for the West Northamptonshire Strategic Plan and also for the remaining stages of the Northampton Local Plan (Part 2).

3.     Local authorities are also required to have in place an up-to-date SCI. Consultation has been undertaken on the SCI. This report sets out the responses received during the consultation and proposes changes in response to the representations. If adopted it would set out how the Strategic Plan will be consulted upon, at the various stages of preparation.

 

ALTERNATIVE OPTIONS: None

 

CONFLICTS OF INTEREST DECLARED AND DISPENSATIONS GRANTED: None.

Report author: Stuart Timmiss

Publication date: 15/09/2021

Date of decision: 14/09/2021

Decided at meeting: 14/09/2021 - Cabinet

Accompanying Documents: