Issue - meetings

To seek agreement for a six-week consultation with minor amendments delegated to the Portfolio Holder and Assistant Director.

Decision

That Cabinet:

1.    Approve the draft South Kesteven Design Code for the purpose of public consultation, available at Appendix 4 of the report.

2.    Delegate authority to the Assistant Director for Planning & Growth, following consultation with the Portfolio Holder for Planning, to make any minor changes to the appearance, format and text of the Design Code SPD, in the interests of clarify and accuracy prior to its publication for consultation.

Reasons for the decision

The Council was part of a pilot Local Planning Authorities Design Code Pathfinder Fund. It is therefore vital to commence a consultation, which will contribute to enabling good quality, well designed developments being permitted within the District.

Other options considered and rejected

To not produce a Code and continue to use the existing Guide. However, the existing Guide was not a Code and therefore does not reflect current requirements set out in legislation or regulations (the Levelling-up and Regeneration Act 2023 (LURA) (15F in Schedule 7).

Note:  Councillor Ashley Baxter left the Council Chamber and did not return. Councillor Paul Stokes took the Chair for the remainder of the meeting.

Purpose of report

To seek agreement for a six-week consultation with minor amendments delegated to the Portfolio Holder and Assistant Director.

Decision

That Cabinet:

1.    Approves the draft South Kesteven Design Code for the purpose of public consultation, available at Appendix 4 of the report.

2.    Delegates authority to the Assistant Director for Planning & Growth, following consultation with the Portfolio Holder for Planning, to make any minor changes to the appearance, format and text of the Design Code SPD, in the interests of clarify and accuracy prior to its publication for consultation.

Other options considered

To not produce a Code and continue to use the existing Guide. However, the existing Guide was not a Code and therefore does not reflect current requirements set out in legislation or regulations (the Levelling-up and Regeneration Act 2023 (LURA) (15F in Schedule 7).

Reasons for the decision

The Council was part of a pilot Local Planning Authorities Design Code (‘the Code’) Pathfinder Fund. It is therefore vital to commence a consultation, which will contribute to enabling good quality, well designed developments being permitted within the District.

The following points were highlighted during the introduction of the report, and during debate:

·       The Council had been chosen to take part in the Design Code Pathfinder Programme and had received funding which built on and strengthened the Council’s design guide.

·       The Code was a key tool in sharing future characteristics for new developments within South Kesteven. It outlined the design process and principles which would be encouraged across all sites.

·       In compiling the document, there had been extensive engagement with members, developers, officers and parishes. This engagement had taken place in person, through the SK Youth Council, and market stalls.

·       Key themes of the Code were nature, climate change, places for people, parking and character. These themes were prioritised throughout the document.

·       One piece of feedback from officers and developers was to have fewer ‘musts’ within the document and make it more concise. A ‘must’ was something that the Code made mandatory, whereas other suggestions within the Code were desirable design elements.

·       The Code highlighted the best examples of suburbs and neighbourhoods within South Kesteven, which helped to define the character of the district.

·       It was expected that further amendments would be made following the public consultation. The government had set a deadline of 30 June 2026 for the final submission of the Code.