Agenda item

The Local Plan Working Group is asked to consider the Draft Local Plan Scoping report.

Alex Conti, Strategic Policy Manager presented the Local Plan Scoping Report to the Working Group.

 

Under Regulation 18 – Preparation of a Local Plan there is a requirement for the Council to;

 

–       Notify statutory and general consultees of the subject of the local plan that the Council proposes to prepare

–       Invite representations about what a local plan with that subject ought to contain

 

The Council will accept representations for a period of at least 6 weeks.

 

In terms of the New Local Plan, the Council was proposing to cover the whole of the local authority area and the plan would cover the period 2022 – 2039.

 

A member queried the planning matters which would be covered and it was clarified that the Local Plan would cover all planning matters except Minerals & Waste. These matters would be as follows:

 

–       Sustainable development

–       Housing

–       Economy

–       Town Centres

–       Healthy & Safe communities

–       Sustainable transport

–       Communications

–       Effective use of land

–       High Quality Design

–       Climate Change and Flooding

–       Natural Environment

–       Historic Environment

 

Other plans and strategies that have been adopted by the Council will be taken into account when preparing the new Local Plan. The Council also has an established evidence base, and will continue to keep this under review to ensure it remains up-to-date as the new Local Plan is prepared.

 

The presentation also contained the objectives for the Scoping Report, these were as follows:

 

1. To deliver new high quality, well-designed development that meets the needs and aspirations of our current and future residents
2. To revitalise Middlesbrough Town Centre through diversifying our retail and leisure offer, and attracting new urban dwellers
3. To strengthen our local economy by supporting existing businesses and attracting new employers
4. To build high quality homes that help strengthen our communities
5. To protect and enhance our Green and Blue Infrastructure Network
6. To ensure that new development is properly served by new and improved physical, social and environmental infrastructure
7. To recognise and value our historical and culturally important assets; and
8. To achieve healthy and safe communities

 

Members had an opportunity to comment on the objectives and a number of comments were made in relation to transport, areas of housing and also the Mayoral Development Corporation (MDC). It was made clear that the Local Plan would still need to be produced regardless of the MDC and officers were unable to comment on the MDC. Officers agreed to look again at the Objectives in relation to the inclusion of transport and energy efficiency.

 

The officers further discussed that consultation questions which would be included within the consultation. The Working Group were advised that as part of the consultation, the Council were not obliged to ask questions but this would give a steer and get some themed answers. The questions suggested were as follows;

 

1. Is the proposed geographical area (i.e. the whole of Middlesbrough Local Authority Area) appropriate for preparing a new Local Plan?
2. Is the proposed plan period of 2022 – 2039 appropriate?
3. Do you consider that the proposed evidence base sufficiently covers all relevant matters for the Local Plan?
4. Do you agree with the identified Objectives?
5. Having read the Scoping Report, is there anything else we should include within the new Local Plan?
6. Do you have any other comments?

 

As part of the Local Plan Scoping Report, the Council also needed to undertake the following pieces of work:

 

Sustainability Appraisal Scoping Report

–       Legal requirement to assess the environmental, economic and social impact of policies

–       Ongoing alongside Local Plan process

 

Call for Sites

–       Opportunity for landowners to put forward land for housing and economic development

–       Officer advised that there was a significant number of sites over the number required

–       Members of the Working Group requested whether the sites in questions could be circulated and this would be done via email at the appropriate time.

 

Finally in terms of the consultation plan, the scope would be as follows:

 

–       Dates TBC. Minimum 6 weeks. Close by end of January

–       Documents online, at Middlesbrough House and in Libraries & Community Hubs

–       Direct notification of consultees – emails & letters

–       Social Media, Press Release, Residents’ Magazine

–       Comments must be made in writing – online portal, email, by letter or completing a form

 

 AGREED- That the scoping document be noted and agreed.