Decision details

To provide an update on progress in respect of the Cambridge Local Plan Examination.

Matter for Decision

To consider and comment before decision by the Executive Councillor for Planning Policy and Transport.

Decision of Executive Councillor

To note the contents of the report and Appendix A

Reason for Decision

As set out in the Officer’s report.

Any Alternative Options Considered and Rejected

Not applicable.

Scrutiny Considerations

The Committee received a report from the Principal Planning Policy Officer and the Planning Policy Officer. 

The Committee made the following comments in response to the report:

i.      Expressed concern regarding the length of time the process was taking for the Local Plan to be implemented and drew attention to the number of SPDs that were that were due to be attached to the emerging Local Plan, questioning what the impact was on the Council;  

ii.     Asked whether the lack of Community Impact Levy (CIL) had been financially detrimental to the Council; 

iii.   Questioned whether developers were able to choose which Local Plan they adhere to and whether Planning Inspectors dealing with appeals had chosen one plan over the other;

iv.  Asked when the Local Plan would be adopted and implemented.  Concern was expressed that the Council should be more forceful with Inspectors regarding timescales.  For example, it is not possible to implement standards on room sizes until the emerging Local Plan has been adopted. 

The Planning Policy Manager, Principal Planning Policy Officer and the Planning Policy Officer said the following in response to Members’ questions:

i.      Agreed that the process had been lengthy and was frustrating, but it was important for the Local Plan to be scrutinised through independent examination.  Officers had remained pragmatic in managing new developments as they were brought forward especially when they were in accordance with the emerging plan.   The Council was in a good position with regard to five year land supply and the delivery of new homes.  The delays had allowed for the plan to be developed further as situations had arisen during the intervening time.

ii.     Confirmed that the importance and urgency required had been drawn to the Planning Inspectors’ attention and feedback had been provided to relevant government consultations.  Partner organisations had also been encouraged to raise concerns regarding the timescales. 

iii.   The Council was effective in securing money though Section 106 obligations and all opportunities for securing funding were explored. 

iv.  Explained that training had been undertaken with development management officers regarding usage of the two Local Plans.  The adopted 2006 Local Plan was the starting point and there were very few elements of the emerging Local Plan that could be utilised.  When developers used the emerging Local Plan, officers provided advice as to why they could not apply the policies.  There had been no instances where the Planning Inspectorate had judged the current plan out of date in appeals. 

v.    Estimated that the examination of the emerging Local Plan would be completed by the end of 2017 and encouraged people to write to the Planning Inspectorate to voice concerns regarding the timescales.  

The Committee unanimously resolved to endorse the recommendations.

The Executive Councillor approved the recommendation.

Conflicts of Interest Declared by the Executive Councillor (and any Dispensations Granted)

No conflicts of interest were declared by the Executive Councillor.