Decision details

The Portfolio Holder for Environment and Regeneration referred to the Secretary of State’s lifting of the Local Plan Holding Direction on 25 March 2019, on the understanding that the Council committed to a number of actions, as set out in Paragraph 3.12 of the report.  Also set out in that paragraph were the Council’s responses to address those actions.

The Leader reminded Members that the Council was now at the stage where it could either adopt the Stevenage Borough Council Local Plan, incorporating the Main Modifications recommended by the Inspector, or must withdraw it completely.  There was no opportunity to open up for discussion issues previously considered during earlier consultation processes on the Plan or at the Examination in Public held in early 2017.

The Executive supported the Portfolio Holder for Environment and Regeneration’s suggestion that the following wording be added to Paragraph 3.12 of the report:

“The Council has worked proactively since the Holding Direction was put in place on 13 November 2017 to attempt to get the Direction lifted.  There were no technical issues outstanding at the end of January 2018.  A number of meetings and visits between Council Members and officers and civil servants and the Secretary of State have taken place during this time, alongside constant requests to the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government (MHCLG) to release the Direction.  The support of other Hertfordshire Local Government Authorities and professional bodies during this period has been appreciated.”

It was RESOLVED:

1.         That the outcomes of the Main Modifications (and associated Sustainability Appraisal) consultation be noted (responses summary attached as Appendix A to the report).

2.         That the content of the Inspector’s Report be noted (attached as Appendix B to the report).

3.         That the Overview and Scrutiny Committee be informed that the Executive’s initial proposal is to recommend to Council to accept the Inspector’s recommendation to adopt the Stevenage Borough Local Plan, incorporating main and minor modifications (attached as Appendix C to the report), and associated Proposals Map, and also to revoke the District Plan Second Review 2004 (Background Document BD1).

Reason for Decision:  As contained in report.

Other Options considered:  As contained in report.