Agenda item

To receive and consider the report of the Director of Planning and Development.

The Part One Preferred Options Paper along with the requisite supporting documents are currently being drafted.  This has involved a significant volume of work in a relatively short space of time, with input across officers from three Councils, and so we appreciate Elected Members patience in this being made available.

The Council report along with a word version of the Part One Preferred Options Document will be published no later than Tuesday, 6 December 2022.  The full designed version of the consultation paper will be published by Friday, 9 December 2022.

1.         To approve the Part One Central Lancashire Local Plan Consultation document (Appendix One) for consultation purposes

2.         To note the supporting document The Site Selection Process; Housing and Employment Land Paper for publication (Appendix Two)

3.         To approve the refreshed Local Development Scheme (Appendix Three) for publication

4.         To note the draft Schedule of Consultation Events (Appendix Four)

5.         To approve the process of consultation being undertaken for a period of ten weeks starting on Monday 19th December 2022 and closing on Friday 24th February 2023

6.         To note this is the next steps in an emerging new Central Lancashire Local Plan and is therefore a material consideration for Development Management purposes to be afforded weight such as that determined by the decision maker.

7.         To acknowledge the publication of the Written Ministerial Statement from The Rt Hon Michael Gove MP on 6th December 2022 regarding suggestions to make possible further changes to the planning system, alongside the Levelling Up and Regeneration Bill. The statement does not represent a change to legislation or national policy and therefore the Central Lancashire Councils remain committed to progressing a new local plan, recognising that as and when changes are implemented by Government, our proposed policies relating to housing need and proposals around housing supply, may be required to change. It is confirmed the Council will respond to any consultation on any proposals for changes.

The Executive Leader, Councillor Alistair Bradley, presented the report of the Director of Planning and Development which sought approval to consult on Part One of a two stage Preferred Options version of the Central Lancashire Local Plan together with its associated documents and evidence base.  Chorley, South Ribble and Preston Councils would consider the same recommendations for approval throughout this week. 

National Government policy require all local planning authorities to have an up to date local planning policy in place.  It also requires it to be reviewed every 5 years. National legislation, policy and guidance sets out a prescriptive process for developing a new Local Plan.  The Core Strategy was now over 10 years old and the individual Local Plans were over 7 years old.

The preferred Options consultation was proposed to be undertaken in two stages, this initial Part One version being focused on the strategic components of the plan including the overall vision and objectives.  It also included site allocation proposals for housing and employment, which were advanced in site assessment, although may still be subject to change as the plan progresses.  A Part Two Preferred Options Consultation which would comprise of a full draft Local Plan, was proposed to be undertaken in Summer 2023.

A ministerial statement had been released last week and an additional recommendation had been circulated to acknowledge this. 

Members debated the proposals, including Councillors Peter Wilson, Alistair Morwood, Mark Clifford, John Walker, Jean Sherwood, Debra Platt, Aidy Riggott, Martin Boardman, James Nevett, Alan Whittaker, Alan Cullens, Sam Chapman, Hasina Khan, Aaron Beaver and Terry Howarth. 

Members noted the need to have a plan in place to control development, to build houses for people and the cost of living crisis.  Residents and members were passionate about development in their own areas, consultation on the proposals was required and noted intervention by central government in terms of planning inquiries and inspectors. 

The plan making process was discussed, with the complexities around this and tight timescales to publish the documentation for this meeting.  Discussions had been ongoing within the Local Plan Working Group and the Central Lancashire Joint Advisory Group for some months. 

The need for sustainable development, infrastructure, to protect the greenbelt and the calculation used to determine the housing need were debated. 

The Leader of the Opposition, Councillor Alan Cullens, requested a recorded vote. 

The Executive Leader, Councillor Alistair Bradley proposed and the Deputy Leader, Councillor Peter Wilson seconded and it was Resolved (by majority 24:11:2)

1.         To approve the Part One Central Lancashire Local Plan Consultation document (Appendix One) for consultation purposes,

2.         To note the supporting document The Site Selection Process; Housing and Employment Land Paper for publication (Appendix Two),

3.         To approve the refreshed Local Development Scheme (Appendix Three) for publication,

4.         To note the draft Schedule of Consultation Events (Appendix Four),

5.         To approve the process of consultation being undertaken for a period of ten weeks starting on Monday 19th December 2022 and closing on Friday 24th February 2023,

6.         To note this is the next steps in an emerging new Central Lancashire Local Plan and is therefore a material consideration for Development Management purposes to be afforded weight such as that determined by the decision maker,

7.         To acknowledge the publication of the Written Ministerial Statement from The Rt Hon Michael Gove MP on 6th December 2022 regarding suggestions to make possible further changes to the planning system, alongside the Levelling Up and Regeneration Bill. The statement does not represent a change to legislation or national policy and therefore the Central Lancashire Councils remain committed to progressing a new local plan, recognising that as and when changes are implemented by Government, our proposed policies relating to housing need and proposals around housing supply, may be required to change. It is confirmed the Council will respond to any consultation on any proposals for changes.

For: Councillors Sarah Ainsworth, Aaron Beaver, Julia Berry (Mayor), Alistair Bradley, Mark Clifford, Karen Derbyshire, Gordon France, Margaret France, Tommy Gray, Alex Hilton, Terry Howarth, Hasina Khan, Samir Khan, Zara Khan, Roy Lees, Matthew Lynch, Michelle Le Marinel, June Molyneaux, Alistair Morwood, Dedrah Moss, Kim Snape, Ryan Towers, Jenny Whiffen, Peter Wilson

Against: Councillors Martin Boardman, Sam Chapman, Alan Cullens, Magda Cullens, Harold Heaton, Keith Iddon, James Nevett, Alan Platt, Debra Platt, Aidy Riggott, John Walker

Abstention: Councillors Arjun Singh, Alan Whittaker