Issue - meetings

To highlight to Members the feedback from the first round of consultation on the Local Plan – Partial Review and Update and to seek Members’ approval to progress to the second round of consultation on the Local Plan – Partial Review and Update and to seek delegated authority to progress to Submission of the Plan should representations at the second round of consultation result in minor amendments to the Plan.

The Cabinet received a report highlighting the feedback from the first round of consultation on the Local Plan Partial Review and next steps in the planning process.

Members were pleased to note that over 40 comments had been received from interested groups, some supporting the approach and others seeking more details on the climate change policies.

The Assistant Director (Planning and Regulation) advised that the revised Plan would give the Planning and Development Committee and Officers significant weight in determining planning applications going forward.

It was also clarified for Members that the consultation on the Local Plan would be slightly amended to run from 21 November 2024 until 29 January 2025, to allow full engagement with communities and key stakeholders.

It was RESOLVED:

1.    That the content of the Stevenage Borough Local Plan – Partial Review and Update Regulation 18 Consultation Statement (the Consultation Statement) be noted.

2.    That the Stevenage Borough Local Plan – Partial Review and Update for Regulation 19 public consultation in November 2024, for not less than 10 weeks be approved.

3.    That should there only be minor comments arising from the Regulation 19 consultation, delegated authority be granted to the Assistant Director: Planning & Regulation, in conjunction with the Portfolio Holder: Environment and Performance to progress to Submission of the Local Plan – Partial Review and Update to the Secretary of State for Examination in Public.

4.    That the revised Local Development Scheme be approved.

5.    That the comments of the Planning & Development Committee and the Environment & Economy Select Committee on the content of this Cabinet Report be noted.

6.    That delegated authority be granted to the Assistant Director: Planning & Regulation in conjunction with the Portfolio Holder: Environment and Performance, 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.