Decision details

The preparation of a new Local Plan for B&NES provides the opportunity for the Council to look afresh at its planning policy framework for the district. As this is a long-term plan (20 years), and because the Local Plan is the Council’s primary tool for place shaping and the basis of decision-making on development and the use of land, the Council needs to ensure the Plan is sufficiently ambitious to deliver the Council’s priorities and is responsive to local community concerns.  In particular, the new Local Plan will play a key role in helping to deliver the Council’s priorities in responding to the climate and ecological emergencies.

The preparation of the Local Plan will commence with the publication of a Launch Document in September 2022.  The Launch Document will outline the purpose, scope and timetable of the Local Plan and how communities and stakeholders can be involved.

The Cabinet Member agrees:

·  The new Local Plan Launch document (Annex 1 of the report) for publication (including editorial updates listed below)

·  The revised Local Development Scheme 2022 (Annex 2 of the report)

·  The Engagement Strategy (Annex 3 of the report) for the preparation of the new Local Plan (including editorial updates listed below)

·  The Statement of Community Engagement (Annex 4 of the report), and

·  To delegate authority to the Head of Planning, in consultation with the Cabinet Member for Planning and Licensing, to make minor amendments and correct any errors to the above four documents before publication.

In making this decision some editorial updates are agreed by the Cabinet Member to the Local Plan Launch document and Engagement Strategy as set out below:

Local Plan Launch Document:

·  Dates updated to take account of October launch

·  Additional text added to emphasise the importance of the Local Plan in improving people’s lives and health and well-being

·  Reference to net zero carbon target

·  Additional text to specify types of housing to be delivered

·  Reference to creation of vibrant town and city centres

·  Editorial amendments to text relating to the Doughnut Economics Model

·  Update to text relating to the questions asked in the Launch Consultation

Engagement Strategy:

·  Dates updated to take account of October launch

·  References to initial engagement with the community (stages 2A and 2C) amended to focus on targeted engagement with community groups

·  Removal of reference to “newsletter page” on the website

·  Insertion of list of main duty to cooperate bodies

The process for the preparation of local plans is primarily set out in the Planning & Compulsory Purchase Act 2004 (as amended) (the 2004 Act) and the Town and Country Planning (Local Planning) (England) Regulations 2012 (the 2012 Regulations), national planning policy (the National Planning Policy Framework 2019) and national guidance (National Planning Practice Guidance).  Other legislation is also relevant such as the Environment Act 2022.  The Council must produce a Local Plan that is sound.  The Planning Acts require that planning applications must be determined in accordance with the Development Plan (which includes Neighbourhood Plans) unless material considerations indicate otherwise.

Under the 2012 Regulations, the Launch Document will commence the initial consultation required by Regulation 18 of plan preparation, i.e. informal engagement.

The development plan is at the heart of the planning system.  It is essential that local plans are in place and kept up to date.  Section 19(1B) – (1E) 2004 Act sets out that each local planning authority must identify their strategic priorities and have policies to address these in their development plan documents (taken as a whole).

Therefore, the Council doesn’t have the option in this context not to prepare a Local Plan.