Minute 59 (Cabinet item 19 refers)

The Committee considered Minute 59 of Cabinet held on 28th June 2016, which had been referred direct by Cabinet, together with a report of the Corporate Director for Place on the preparation of a new Local Plan for Southend on Sea.

Resolved:

That the following recommendations of Cabinet be noted:

“1.  That the preparation of the new Southend-on-Sea Local Plan as a corporate priority, which will provide a positive planning framework to manage and guide regeneration and development in Southend on Sea over at least the next 15 year period, be approved.

2.  That it be noted that preparation of a new Local Plan for Southend-on-Sea will include a financial and human resource commitment on behalf of the Council to facilitate delivery of a robust, long term strategic planning policy document, in a timely manner.

3.  That it be noted that the new Southend-on-Sea Local Plan will replace, once adopted, the Core Strategy and associated local development documents, where indicated.

4.  That a number of key evidence based documents be produced to support the preparation of the new Southend-on-Sea Local Plan, including an environmental constraints and green belt review at an early stage.

5.  That the Corporate Director for Place, in consultation with the Executive Councillor for Housing, Planning and Public Protection, in conjunction with the LDF Working Party, be authorised to make the necessary amendments which may be required, and agree a draft Local Plan and associated documentation for all statutory public consultation under Regulation 18 of the Town and Country Planning Regulations (Local Planning) (England) 2012.”

Note:- This is a Council Function

Executive Councillor:- Flewitt

Report of Corporate Director for Place

The Cabinet considered a report of the Corporate Director for Place on the preparation of a new Local Plan for Southend on Sea.

Recommended:-

1.    That the preparation of the new Southend-on-Sea Local Plan as a corporate priority, which will provide a positive planning framework to manage and guide regeneration and development in Southend on Sea over at least the next 15 year period, be approved.

2.    That it be noted that preparation of a new Local Plan for Southend-on-Sea will include a financial and human resource commitment on behalf of the Council to facilitate delivery of a robust, long term strategic planning policy document, in a timely manner.

3.    That it be noted that the new Southend-on-Sea Local Plan will replace, once adopted, the Core Strategy and associated local development documents, where indicated.

4.    That a number of key evidence based documents be produced to support the preparation of the new Southend-on-Sea Local Plan, including an environmental constraints and green belt review at an early stage.

5.    That the Corporate Director for Place, in consultation with the Executive Councillor for Housing, Planning and Public Protection, in conjunction with the LDF Working Party, be authorised to make the necessary amendments which may be required, and agree a draft Local Plan and associated documentation for all statutory public consultation under Regulation 18 of the Town and Country Planning Regulations (Local Planning) (England) 2012.

Reason for decision

To ensure the expeditious production of a new Local Plan for Southend-on-Sea and associated evidence base to manage and guide future growth and development in Southend on Sea in a positive and timely manner, where the Council has control of decision making in the public interest as representatives of the local community.

Other Options

1.    A failure to undertake the preparation of a new Local Plan would result in the Council becoming increasingly unable to positively influence the scale, nature and location of change within Southend on Sea. This would lead to the potential increase in the risk of “planning by appeal” with the responsibility for decision making in effect being passed from the Council and the local community to both the Planning Inspectorate and the Secretary of State. It would also be likely that the Council would also incur increasing costs in attempting to defend refusals of planning permission based on an increasingly older Core Strategy and evidence base.

2.    The preparation of a new Southend on Sea Local Plan is the only option which would allow for the proper consideration of a range of spatial options and policies which address more recent changes in national and regional planning policy, including the need to identify land to meet future housing and employment land requirements.

Note:- This is a Council Function

Referred directly to Place Scrutiny Committee

Executive Councillor:- Flewitt