Issue - meetings

To receive an update on the Local Plan Review in advance of Reg 19 consultation.

It was RESOLVED that the Update on Local Plan Review be noted.

The Head of Planning Policy provided the Committee with a detailed update on the progress of the Stevenage Local Plan Review.

The Committee heard that the Local Plan (adopted in May 2019) provided a spatial vision for Stevenage to 2031 and comprised 13 strategic policies and 73 detailed policies, supported by a policies map and key diagram.

The review was influenced by national, regional, and local drivers, including revisions to the National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF), the North East Central Hertfordshire Joint Strategic Plan, and findings from the Station Gateway Area Action Plan consultation.

The Head of Planning Policy advised that, following legal advice, a two-stage process was adopted:

Stage 1: Partial Review and Update, with a focus on addressing immediate policy needs such as climate change, sustainability, HMOs, and tree-lined streets.

Stage 2: A full review, extending beyond 2031, incorporating broader strategic priorities like infrastructure and healthy homes principles.

The Committee were informed that the Regulation 18 consultation (July–August 2024) highlighted public and stakeholder concerns about climate policies, HMOs, and flooding. The upcoming Regulation 19 consultation, scheduled for 20 November 2024–14 January 2025 (with a possible extension), would allow further public engagement on the updated plan.

National Context and Transitional Arrangements:

The Head of Planning Policy advised the Committee that changes to the NPPF and associated timelines meant the Council must submit the Local Plan by December 2026, under the current planning framework, to avoid delays from adopting a new system. The current plan's policies were over five years old, reducing their material weight in decision-making. Advancing the review would help restore policy strength.

Outlining the next steps, the Head of Planning Policy informed the Committee that, following the Regulation 19 consultation, the plan would be submitted to the Secretary of State in Spring 2025, with examination expected in Summer/Autumn 2025 and adoption thereafter. The second-stage full review would commence post-adoption.

Approval was sought for the Regulation 19 consultation to proceed.

The Chair thanked the Head of Planning Policy for their update and invited Members to ask questions.

In response to a question regarding the NPPF timeline extension, the Head of Planning Policy clarified that Local Plans must be submitted by June 2025 under the current system; otherwise, they were subject to a new framework, potentially causing delays. While some councils might pause due to the extension to December 2026, Stevenage Borough Council was progressing with urgency due to the reduced material weight of policies in plans older than five years.

Members raised concerns about the practicalities of the proposed tree replacement ratio (up to 1:21) and its implications for carbon sequestration. In response, Officers advised that the replacement policy used a sliding scale based on tree size and significance. Small trees required fewer replacements, while veteran trees (e.g., 300–400 years old) demanded higher replacements to offset their ecological value. The approach aimed to balance development needs with environmental conservation.

Members highlighted what could be perceived as a lack of emphasis on protecting grasslands and other carbon-sequestering areas. In  ...  view the full minutes text for item 3