Decision details

To consider and recommend to Council changes to the Core Strategy in response to the examination inspector's preliminary conclusions

(1) To NOTE the progress on the work required on the Core Strategy to address examination Inspector’s concerns.

The adoption of the Core Strategy is necessary in order for the Council to progress the District’s Community Infrastructure Levy and also to ensure the proper alignment of infrastructure with new development.

Instead of seeking to amend the current Core Strategy, the Council could withdraw it and begin preparation of the new style Local Plan introduced by the Localism Act 2012.  The disadvantage of this is the deletion of all the existing policies developed so far in the draft Core Strategy which are sound.  It would take around 18 months to two years to produce a new Core Strategy because it would need a review of the entire evidence base underpinning the Core Strategy.  There is little to be gained by withdrawal because the issues to be addressed would not be significantly different to those currently being addressed.  Furthermore this would extend the period of time in which the District is vulnerable to losing appeals on planning applications which are contrary to the Council’s own aspirations and objectives.