Agenda item

(Director of Neighbourhoods) to consider the update on the current position of the Local Plan.

The Director of Neighbourhoods introduced the Local Plan Update report. The Committee noted that an updated Local Plan Development Scheme was due to go to Cabinet on 21 July 2016 which reflected the new timescales for the development of the Local Plan. They noted that the key milestones prior to the consultation on the Draft Plan were:

·         08 October 2016 – report to Cabinet to consider draft plan for consultation;

·         18 October 2016 – report to Full Council; and

·         31 October 2016 – start of 6 week formal consultation.

This would tie in with the publications of draft plans by East Herts, Uttlesford and Harlow Districts seeking representations on soundness under Regulation 19 of the Local Plan regulations.

The Committee noted that the government had made it clear that they expected that all local planning authorities should have a post National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF) local plan in place and had set out their commitments to take action to get plans in place and ensure there were up to date policies. One of the penalties proposed for not having produced a plan was the loss of new homes bonus. Epping Forest was one of the 21 authorities at risk of intervention.

Under the duty to cooperate, the Sustainable Development Board was provided with an update on progress with the evaluation of the 5 spatial options previously agreed for testing and work was underway to evaluate the options through transport modelling, sustainability appraisal, deliverability appraisal and the habitat regulations assessment. The Board also received three draft memoranda of understanding, one with Highways England to cover strategic transport matters (including junction 7a), one with Natural England to cover air quality and a third to set out the vision for the SHMA area and agree the distribution of growth.

Various Member workshops have been held recently, one on climate change and one on transport accessibility and parking standards. Further workshops were planned for 16 July and 28 July 2016.

It was noted that the green belt review had largely been concluded and that the examiner’s report for the Moreton, Bobbingworth and the Lavers Neighbourhood Plan had been received. The examiner found that it did not meet the basic conditions and as required it was proposed to report this to the Cabinet on 21 July with a recommendation that the plan does not go to referendum.

Councillor Bedford noted that by September last year Highways England had not signed up to anything; had there been any movement since? The Planning Policy Portfolio Holder, Councillor Philip said that officers and members from this and other authorities had met with the under secretary for Transport recently where they asked for more cooperation and expressed their disappointment with them. A sensible strategy on transport was needed to enable us to progress our plan. Highways England should now be more helpful and cooperative.

Councillor Janet Whitehouse asked what the consultation would be on. Councillor Philip replied that it would be on our preferred option and everything to do with the local plan. Councillor Whitehouse commented that this would be a wide ranging consultation, were there any plans for exhibitions to go around the district? She was told that they were planning it now with an outside PR company; to have a roving exhibition, a permanent exhibition and also something on line. There will also be a half day workshop on this.

Councillor Patel asked if we could comment on the draft plans of our neighbouring authorities. Councillor Philip said that we would comment on their draft plans and would be looking at their soundness. Details would be published in the Bulletin. Mr Macnab added that we would make formal responses to these consultations and put links to them on our website.

Councillor Caroline Pond asked if there would be an all resident consultation. Mr Macnab said that it would go out to all residents for a formal period of six weeks before it went to Council. Councillor Philip added that they would not be sending the full thing to residents but a summary; it would also be available on line and would be published in the Cabinet agenda.

Councillor Neville commented that if the meeting dates of this Select Committee did not fall in line with the consultation dates, could it be taken to the main Overview and Scrutiny Committee. He was told that they were happy to bring the consultation to all members.

Councillor Sartin noted that we were doing a Regulation 18 consultation while others were doing a Regulation 19, have they missed out this stage.  Councillor Philip said that regulations allowed them to go to Regulation 19, but if they get to many questions on this they may have to go back. We will get on to Regulation 19 later on.

Councillor Patel asked about the examiners report on the Moreton, Bobbingworth and Lavers Neighbourhood Plan and if we could put together a summary of lessons learnt about this. Councillor Philip said that they could, but they did not know as yet what would happen. When we do, we would write a report to the Cabinet and they could decide if we had a good case to go to referendum. Mr Macnab noted that we could look at the draft Neighbourhood plans and offer advice.

RESOLVED:

That the progress on the Local Plan was noted.