Issue - meetings

To provide Members with an overview of changes to four adopted Supplementary Planning Documents (SPD) and to seek Members’ approval to consult on revisions to three SPDs and for the revocation of one SPD.

The Cabinet was presented with a report proposing changes to three of the four Council’s existing Supplementary Planning Documents (SPD’s); Parking and Sustainable Transport, Developer Contributions and Design Guidance.

Members were advised that the fourth, Biodiversity SPD was being revoked as recent changes in national legislation and guidance had effectively replaced it.  Members agreed that in relation to Biodiversity, Stevenage had been ahead of the previous Government through the Council’s efforts to develop and maintain a local Biodiversity Action Plan.

It was noted that the public consultation on the three revised SPD’s would commence on 14 October for a minimum period of 4 weeks.

It was RESOLVED:

1.    That the content of the revised Stevenage Supplementary Planning Documents be noted.

2.    That consultation on three revised Supplementary Planning Documents, from 14 October 2024 be approved.

3.    That the revocation of The Impact of Development on Biodiversity Supplementary Planning Document be approved.

4.    That delegated powers be granted to the Assistant Director: Planning and Regulation, following consultation with the Portfolio Holder for Environment and Performance, to make minor amendments as necessary in the final preparation of the SPD documents prior to public consultation.

5.    That the comments of the Planning & Development Committee will be sought and fed back to Cabinet.

Reason for Decision: As contained in the report.

Other Options considered:As contained in the report.

The Cabinet was presented with a report recommending approval to undertake public consultation on revised Supplementary Planning Documents (SPD’s).  The SPD’s provided detail to the policies included in the adopted Local Plan which were used when the Planning and Development Committee considered different applications.  The report proposed changes to three of the four Council’s existing SPD’s; Parking and Sustainable Transport, Developer Contributions and Design Guidance.

Members were advised that the fourth, SPD relating to Biodiversity was being revoked as recent changes, since April 2024, in national legislation and guidance had effectively replaced it.  Members agreed that in relation to Biodiversity, Stevenage had been ahead of the previous Government through the Council’s efforts to develop and maintain a local Biodiversity Action Plan.

Cabinet were advised that many of the amendments to the SPD’s were technical in nature but they also highlighted some positive changes including a stronger commitment to providing apprenticeship opportunities through the Stevenage Works Programme, seeking contributions to the new cycle hire scheme across the town and seeking contributions for electric car hubs.

It was noted that the public consultation on the three revised SPD’s would commence on 14 October for a minimum period of 4 weeks and would be of particular interest to stakeholders including developers and those with an interest in planning and development of land as well as industries in the local economy.

It was RESOLVED:

1.    That the content of the revised Stevenage Supplementary Planning Documents be noted.

2.    That consultation on three revised Supplementary Planning Documents, from 14 October 2024 be approved.

3.    That the revocation of The Impact of Development on Biodiversity Supplementary Planning Document be approved.

4.    That delegated powers be granted to the Assistant Director: Planning and Regulation, following consultation with the Portfolio Holder for Environment and Performance, to make minor amendments as necessary in the final preparation of the SPD documents prior to public consultation.

5.    That the comments of the Planning & Development Committee will be sought and fed back to Cabinet.

Reason for Decision: As contained in the report.

Other Options considered:As contained in the report.