Issue - meetings

To consider the first stage of the Stevenage Local Plan Review, and to highlight the next steps in the planning process with the Local Development Scheme and Statement of Community Involvement.

The Cabinet was presented with a report considering the first stage of the Stevenage Local Plan Review, and which highlighted the next steps in the planning process with the Local Development Scheme and Statement of Community Involvement.

Members were pleased to note that the updated Statement of Community Involvement would highlight the use of technology in consultation and gave consideration to the need to improve the way the Council engaged with communities in the planning process.

Officers advised that due to the announcement of the forthcoming General Election, the consultation on the Local Plan had been delayed and would now run between 5 July and 15 August 2024.

It was RESOLVED:

1.               That the progress with and content of the Stevenage Borough Local Plan – Partial Review and Update be noted.

2.               That the Stevenage Borough Local Plan – Partial Review and Update for public consultation in July 2024, for not less than 6 weeks be approved.

3.               That a revised Local Development Scheme and the timescales for a Local Plan Review be approved.

4.               That a revised Statement of Community Involvement be approved.

5.               That the comments of the Planning & Development Committee and the Environment & Economy Select Committee had been sought and both Committees had given broad agreement to the report.

6.               That it be noted that delegated authority will be given to the Assistant Director: Planning & Regulation in conjunction with the Portfolio Holder, to make changes to the Stevenage Borough Local Plan – Partial Review and Update, prior to going out to public consultation.

7.               That it be noted that informal engagement with key stakeholders will continue, ahead of and during public consultation on the Stevenage Borough Local Plan – Partial Review and Update.

The Cabinet was presented with a report considering the first stage of the Stevenage Local Plan Review, and which highlighted the next steps in the planning process with the Local Development Scheme and Statement of Community Involvement.

It was noted that the review was limited to factual and necessary changes i.e. those which were related to key drivers of change since the Plan was adopted in 2019.  Other wider changes would be considered for the next stage which would constitute a full review of the Plan, from 2025.

Officers advised that The Statement of Community Involvement (SCI) was a statutory document which set out how Stevenage Borough Council would involve the community and other stakeholders in the preparation, alteration and review of local planning policy and decisions on planning applications.  Members were pleased to note that the updated SCI would highlight the use of technology in consultation and gave consideration to the need to improve the way the Council engaged with communities in the planning process.

Officers advised that due to the announcement of the forthcoming General Election, the consultation on the Local Plan had been delayed and would now run between 5 July and 15 August 2024.

It was RESOLVED:

1.               That the progress with and content of the Stevenage Borough Local Plan – Partial Review and Update be noted.

2.               That the Stevenage Borough Local Plan – Partial Review and Update for public consultation in July 2024, for not less than 6 weeks be approved.

3.               That a revised Local Development Scheme and the timescales for a Local Plan Review be approved.

4.               That a revised Statement of Community Involvement be approved.

5.               That the comments of the Planning & Development Committee and the Environment & Economy Select Committee had been sought and both Committees had given broad agreement to the report.

6.               That it be noted that delegated authority will be given to the Assistant Director: Planning & Regulation in conjunction with the Portfolio Holder, to make changes to the Stevenage Borough Local Plan – Partial Review and Update, prior to going out to public consultation.

7.               That it be noted that informal engagement with key stakeholders will continue, ahead of and during public consultation on the Stevenage Borough Local Plan – Partial Review and Update.

Reason for Decision: As contained within the report

Other Options considered:As contained within the report