Agenda and minutes

RESOLVED: (Unanimously)

That Councillor Bill Evans be appointed as Chair for the meeting.

The Chair, Councillor Bill Evans, welcomed everyone to the meeting and introduced those present.

An apology for absence was received from Councillor Sue Whittam (Preston City Council).

There were none.

There were none.

RESOLVED: (Unanimously)

That the minutes of the meeting of the last Central Lancashire Strategic Planning Joint Advisory Committee, held on 28 October 2019, be signed as a correct record.

Report of the Central Lancashire Local Plan Co-ordinator attached.

The committee received a report of the Central Lancashire Planning Local Plan Coordinator which provided an update on the progress of the Local Plan review.

Members were informed that the Issues and Options Consultation was ongoing until mid-February and that over 200 online responses had been received to date with 685 people attending consultation events.

A Developers’ Forum had been held in December 2019 with members and officers from South Ribble, Chorley and Preston Councils attending. Another session would be scheduled in 2020.

Work was still ongoing with regards to the viability of the Local Plan and members were informed that a consultancy firm would be appointed and tasked with this work.

The impact of concerns around climate change was discussed. South Ribble, Chorley and Preston Councils had declared climate emergencies and members were informed that the impact of climate change would need to be considered within the Local Plan. The possibility of appointing a climate change officer to work across the three councils had been suggested but remained to be scoped.

Although Lancashire County Council had not formally declared a climate emergency, assurances were given that measures were being taken to reduce the effects of climate change.

Members acknowledged that a lot of work would be undertaken within the next 18 months and noted the report

Report of the Central Lancashire Local Plan Co-ordinator attached.

The Central Lancashire Planning Local Plan Co-ordinator, Carolyn Williams, presented a report on the Draft Revised Central Lancashire Local Development Scheme (LDS).

As work on the Local Plan review is fluid, the timetable for works is regularly updated to reflect any changes to the anticipated timeframe. Adoption of the Local Plan is now anticipated for December 2023.

Members acknowledged a delay in progress due to the extension of the Issues and Options consultation as well as the need to undertake reviews on strategic flood risk, education provisions and the spatial strategy. The potential need to undertake a review of Greenbelt land may also cause further delay to the publication of the Local Plan.

Members requested that the report be amended to clarify that the anticipated targets for completion of work are ambitious and variable.

The report was noted.

Report of the Director of Early Intervention and Support (Chorley Council) attached.

Members received a report of the Director of Early Intervention and Support (Chorley Council) which provided an update on the consultation responses to the revised Joint Memorandum of Understanding (MOU).

The MOU was reviewed and amended following the introduction of the Standard Housing Method for Local Housing Need by the government, which altered the methodology for calculating annual housing requirements. Adoption of the revised Joint MOU had been approved by South Ribble and Chorley Councils and would be debated by Preston City Council in February 2020. 

Members were informed that the MOU confirmed the annual housing need figures for each area of Central Lancashire, with South Ribble requiring 334 homes; Chorley 282; and Preston 410.

Consultation had initially taken place in November 2019 and was reopened between December 2019 and January 2020 following constructive feedback. Developers, agents, parish councils, elected members and county councillors were consulted, with 37 responses received. A number of key issues, such as failure to consult properly, were identified through the consultation and addressed in the report.

Members expressed satisfaction with the standard of officer’s responses to concerns identified through the consultation and thanked the Central Lancashire Planning team for their work.

The report was noted.

There was none.

The next meeting of the Central Lancashire Strategic Planning Joint Advisory Committee will be held at Chorley Council on Tuesday, 24 March 2020 at 6.30pm.

The next meeting of the Central Lancashire Strategic Planning Joint Advisory Committee will be held at Chorley Council on Tuesday, 24 March 2020 at 6:30pm.