Agenda item

To note the Local Plan Project Management Report for Quarter 4.

The Local Plan and New Communities Manager presented the report. He said that since the report had been published it had been recognised that extra work was needed to explore a couple of variations on the emerging development strategy.  He said that although the impact was not significant it was essential to ensure that the best Local Plan was delivered.  The main report was now out of date, but an up-to-date version would be circulated along with an amended letter to the Department of Levelling Up, Housing and Communities. 

He highlighted the following risks on pages 22 to 24, id references 2 and 20 which related to staffing issues and id reference 12 regarding the designation of the Council.  He said that this did not have a direct effect on the Local Plan but emphasised the importance to deliver the plan as soon as possible to assist with decision making.

He pointed out a new risk, id reference 44, which identified the possibility of an additional round of Regulation 18/19 stages being required. He said while the risk was low it needed to be recorded.

Councillor Evans thanked the Local Plan and New Communities Manager and his team including the input from the Interim Planning Director.  He said there would be an overlap between the Interim Planning Director and the new, to be appointed, Planning Director.  He said the delay in the Local Plan allowed for further consideration of the options and he said it was important in order to get the best Local Plan for the residents of Uttlesford. 

Councillor Driscoll asked about the new risk regarding regulation 18/19 stages, number 44.  The Local Plan and New Communities Manager said that the risk had been identified and therefore it needed to be acknowledged within the register.

In response to a question from Councillor Jones, the Local Plan and New Communities Manager said that the delay was necessary to enhance the plan and properly assess the development options.  He said that in order for that work to be undertaken properly the extra time was needed.

In response to questions from Councillor LeCount, the Local Plan and New Communities Manager made the following points: -

·         The impact of the Local Plan Project Manager leaving had been managed and the tasks had been split between himself and the Project Officer. He said an additional independent review team was checking that the project plan was robust and complete. 

·         The response from the Parish Councils had been good, he would provide a percentage after the meeting.

·         The designation did not have a direct impact on the Local Plan but confirmed that once in place it would assist in decision making on planning applications and would reduce the number of applications being overturned at appeal.

The Chair said that it was an excellent report and thanked the Local Plan and New Communities Manager for the clarification about the delay.  He said that Members needed to ensure that they were content with the process being undertaken to produce the Local Plan, that it was being delivered efficiently with the right outputs and nothing had been missed. 

Councillor Driscoll pointed out that one of the larger sites at Hatfield Heath/Little Hallingbury had been missed from the report on page 30/31.  The Local Plan and New Communities Manager apologised and said it should be on the list as West of Hatfield Broad Oak.  He agreed to change the document.

The Committee agreed to remit the report forward to Cabinet and approve the letter with the necessary amendments to the content. 

AGREED: That the report be remitted to Cabinet.