Issue - meetings

Purpose of report

The report covered a general Local Plan update and a revision to the Council's Local Development Strategy. The Planning and Compulsory Purchase Act 2004 (as amended by the Planning Act 2008 and Localism Act 2011) required a Local Planning Authority to prepare and maintain a Local Development Scheme setting out the Development Plan Documents to be produced, including the Local Plan.

Decision

Cabinet approved the Local Development Scheme (2026 – 2029) for publication.

Other options considered

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.

Reasons for the decision

The reason for the resolutions 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.

Local Plans (LP) were key to promoting sustainable growth. There were many steps involved in the preparation for an updated LP, informed by legislation.

In preparing a new draft LP, Regulation 18 was launched by SKDC in February 2024 based on the then housing targets expected of the council. After the General Election in 2024, the new government increased annual housing targets and added further housing requirements.

A second Regulation 18 consultation was undertaken by SKDC in the summer of 2025. SKDC was required to find additional sites for development. Following the latest consultation, the Planning Policy team had been reviewing feedback, and an evidence base to support the next round of consultation.

SKDC was required to develop the Local Development Scheme (LDS) and keep it up to date to reflect progress. The Regulation 19 was originally scheduled for January/February 2026. As the Planning Policy team have been working through consultation feedback, it became clear that additional evidence would be required ahead of the Regulation 19 consultation. A detailed project management approach was required and the overall timetable needed finessing.

In a move supported by the Planning Advisory Service, the Regulation 19 consultation needed to be moved to September 2026. This still allowed crucial time to submit the LP prior to inspection. The Regulation 19 move was the only change to the timetable.

The LP was achievable with current staffing and resources. SKDC was not the only council in this position.