Agenda item

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 response, Officers advised that while the Local Plan did not demand new grassland in developments, existing grasslands were safeguarded through green space and ecological designations, including the Green Belt and ecological corridors. Grassland loss was considered case by case, whereas tree loss was actively mitigated through replacement policies.

In response to a question regarding “Green Walls”, Officers advised that encouraging green walls was not mandatory due to viability testing, but proposals that included green walls received greater weight during planning decisions due to their biodiversity and ecological benefits.

Members sought clarification on who would be consulted, how they would be reached, and the inclusivity of the consultation process. Officers responded that consultations were conducted through Commonplace, an online interface used for prior consultations. A consultation database was maintained, which included key stakeholders. Hard copy documents were made available in libraries and council offices. Special attention was given to those who may not use digital platforms, ensuring accessibility via post and in-person options.

Engagement methods included partnerships with neighbourhood and communications teams, social media outreach, and publicising consultations in The Comet, The Chronicle, and leaflets with QR codes. Hard-to-reach groups, such as youth, were targeted through tailored initiatives like youth surveys, aiming to broaden engagement.

Responding to a question regarding Combined Heat and Power (CHP), Officers informed the Committee that CHP was included in the climate policy to reflect scenarios where it provided broader sustainability benefits, such as reducing waste heat from facilities like leisure centres. It aligned with Part L of building regulations, which emphasised energy efficiency in heating, cooling, and lighting. CHP was recognised as a secondary solution, often reliant on fossil fuels. There was concern over locking developments into long-term gas use when more renewable options were available. The Council encouraged hierarchies where renewable energy sources were prioritised over CHP.

However, flexibility was mandated by government guidelines, requiring consideration of feasibility for developers who could not meet higher standards. Developers were already moving away from gas due to forthcoming Future Homes Standards, expected to phase out gas and emphasise alternatives like air source heat pumps.

Members raised concerns regarding the readability of maps within the report. Officers responded that planned upgrades to the GIS system aimed to make policy maps more interactive and user-friendly.

It was RESOLVED that the update on the Local Plan Review be noted and that the Regulation 19 Consultation be approved to proceed.