Issue - meetings

Purpose of report

To ask Cabinet to approve the revised Local Development Scheme (2024-2027) which included a change to the Local Plan timetable.

Decision

That Cabinet approves the revised Local Development Scheme 2024-2027 (attached as Appendix A to the report).

Alternative options considered and rejected

The alternative of not reviewing the Local Development Scheme was discounted. Failing to keep the Local Development Scheme up to date would have contravened the statutory requirements of the Planning and Compulsory Planning Act 2004 (as amended by the Localism Act 2011) and Town and Country Planning (Local Planning) (England) Regulations 12.

Reasons for decision

Following the adoption of the Local Plan in January 2020, the Council embarked on a Local Plan review to take it up to 2041. In line with the Local Development Scheme Regulation 18 the draft Local Plan was published for an 8-week consultation in February 2024. The consultation attracted c1500 responses from members of the public and relevant stakeholders. To ensure each comment was carefully considered the timetable had been revised to allow the Council to properly process these representations and incorporate any prudent changes into the Local Plan.

The Council had reviewed the scheme and ensured that the timetable was realistic and achievable.

The reason for the decision was to ensure the Council was providing an up-to date position and an accurate timeline for the production of development plan documents. This would ensure that the Council was acting in accordance with the requirements of the Planning and Compulsory Purchase Act 2004 (as amended). Maintaining an up-to-date Local Development Scheme would ensure a transparent process. This was important because the local community and others with an interest in the district could be kept aware of development plan production and stages of consultation.

Supporting the continuity of the planning function in South Kesteven would aid the recovery of the local economy and the economic resilience of the district by providing greater certainty and confidence for future investment and development.

The revised scheme indicated that the next regulatory consultation stage was scheduled for winter 2024/2025, with a submission to the Secretary of State by 30 June 2025, ensuring that the Local Plan was considered under the existing legal framework.

The revised scheme was to be published on the South Kesteven District Council website, and all town and parish councillors in the district would be notified.

Part of the process being undertaken now by Planning officers was the gathering of any petitions on sites in the Local Plan.

There was one error in the report – the Consultation on the Draft Local Plan was completed on 25 April 2024, not 2025.