Issue - meetings

To seek approval to undertake a further Regulation 19 consultation on the draft Greater Nottingham Strategic Plan due to changes which have taken place since the previous consultation and to make updates to the Local Development Scheme to reflect the new timetable for producing the Strategic Plan. The Strategic Plan is in accordance with all of the Council's corporate priorities, particularly providing a good quality home for everyone. Detail is contained within the report as to the reasons for this item being exempt from the call-in process.

Broxtowe Borough Council has been preparing the Greater Nottingham Strategic Plan in partnership with Gedling Borough, Nottingham City and Rushcliffe Borough Councils. A consultation was undertaken on the draft Greater Nottingham Strategic Plan from 4 November to 16 December 2024. The intention was to submit the Strategic Plan for examination following this period of consultation.

On 12 December 2024, the Government published the updated National Planning Policy Framework. This has implications for the Strategic Plan as it made changes to the transitional arrangements which set out how local plans should implement the changes made to national planning policy, particularly in respect of meeting higher housing targets.

It was stated that housing targets were challenging, and those that did not have a Strategic Plan in place would be vulnerable to having Green Belt areas built on. There were further difficulties around developing the infrastructure required to built the amount of houses. Furthermore, it was important that the right types of houses were built.

Further consultation on the Strategic Plan must begin on 12 March 2025 in order to comply with the National Planning Policy Framework transitional arrangements. Failure to undertake the consultation on this date would result in having to start Plan production again and significantly increase the housing targets, resulting in considerable delay and expense to the three authorities (Broxtowe, Nottingham City and Rushcliffe). A call-in period would therefore prevent the consultation being undertaken within the required timeframe. The Chair of the Overview and Scrutiny Committee, in accordance with the Constitution, has given permission for the item to be excluded from call-in based on the reasons stated. A notice was published on 15 January 2025.

RESOLVED that:

1.       The previous Regulation 19 Publication Draft of the Greater Nottingham Strategic Plan (published for consultation on 4 November 2024) be withdrawn;

2.       The Publication Draft Greater Nottingham Strategic Plan (March 2025), Sustainability Appraisal and supporting documents be approved in so far as it relates to Broxtowe Borough, to allow a period of public representations;

3.       Authority be delegated to the Assistant Director of Planning and Economic Development, in conjunction with the Leader and Deputy Leader of the Council, to make any minor editing changes such as typographical, formatting or changes to imagery necessary to the Publication Draft Greater Nottingham Strategic Plan and any supporting evidence documents prior to consultation; and

4.       The updated Local Development Scheme (March 2025) be adopted.

Reason

The Strategic Plan is in accordance with all of the Council's corporate priorities, particularly providing a good quality home for everyone.