Agenda item

The Head of Planning will be in attendance to update Panel Members on Middlesbrough’s new Local Plan.

 

Recommendation: for the Panel to receive and note the information provided.

The Head of Planning gave a presentation that provided an introduction to the Local Plan, how it was prepared, what it contained and the timeframe for development and approval.

 

The Local Plan was a statutory duty of the Council set out in legislation and had to be reviewed every five years.   It set out the Council’s policy on how development should take place and covered a period of 15+ years from the date of adoption.  Local Plans also provided a policy framework for making decisions on planning applications and were strategic to:

 

•           Make sufficient land available for development to deliver the needs and     priorities of an area.

•           Take into account other Council plans and strategies.

•           Seek to achieve a vision of what place should be like in the future.

•           Provide certainty and/or de-risk for investors/developers and residents.

 

Local plans were a primary consideration when determining planning applications.  However, this did not mean that planning applications would automatically be approved if they were in accordance with the Local Plan or refused if they were not.  

 

The policy framework set the context for preparing the Local Plan and included:

 

•           National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF).

•           National Policy Statements.

•           Specialist policy such as Gypsy and Traveller guidance.

•           Planning Practice Guidance.

 

Where the Local Plan was silent on an issue or there was a difference, the NPPF took precedence.  It was highlighted that the Levelling-Up and Regeneration Bill currently passing through Parliament, might have an impact on Local Plans.   National policy included development control considerations and was generally pro-growth and pro-development.

 

The Local Plan was not produced in isolation but in conjunction with the Council’s Strategic Plan as well as key strategies for transport, economic growth, housing and other policies.  The Tees Valley Combined Authority also had an important role in this area as well.

 

Middlesbrough’s current Local Plan comprised five documents:

 

•           Housing Local Plan - 2014.

•           Minerals and Waste - 2011.

•           Regeneration Development Plan Document (DPD) - 2009.

•           Core Strategy - 2008.

•           Middlesbrough Local Plan - 1999.

 

All plans were still relevant and referred to in decision making.  However some elements – such as green space policies – needed updating.

 

Neighbourhood Plans were currently in place in Marton West and Stainton and Thornton and others were in production.

 

There were tight controls on how Local Plans had to be prepared through legislation and National Planning Policy.  Significant public engagement and consultation was required and the evidence base had to be credible,  robust and up to date.  Council strategies were key to the evidence base which was examined at the approval stage.  The Council also had to co-operate with partners and strategic neighbours. 

 

An independent examination of the Local Plan would be completed by a Government Inspector who would test it against a number of criteria and not just the objectives.  Approval of the Local Plan was not a Council decision.

 

The timetable for review of Middlesbrough’s Local Plan was as follows:

 

•           Scoping/Issues & Options                              Dec 2022

•           Preferred Options (non-statutory)                   Nov/Dec 2023

•           Publication                                                      June 2024

•           Submission                                                     Sept 2024

•           Examination

             – soundness and legal compliance               Sept 2024 – Jan 2025

•           Adoption                                                          April 2025

 

The Local Plan would be published online and physical copies would also be provided. 

 

In relation to the current Local Plan being published in 2014, it was confirmed that it had been reviewed since that date.  A new Local Plan was prepared in 2016-2017 and was at the publication stage in 2018.  However it was withdrawn in 2019 and the Council then started to review it again. 

 

It was clarified that Neighbourhood Plans could not de-allocate housing sites that were in the Local Plan.  If a new Local Plan differed from existing Neighbourhood Plans any change in allocations would have to be considered.

 

Public consultation took place at every stage of the Local Plan development.  The scoping element was slightly different because it was a more technical exercise dealing with statutory bodies.  Member workshops and briefing sessions would be arranged for Councillors.   Adverts would be placed in the local press and A4 notices posted where sites were allocated. 

 

In terms of resources required to produce the new Local Plan it was confirmed that it was a case of getting the timing right for each element.  If more resources were required a case would be submitted.  The cost for examination in 2014 was approximately £60,000.

 

The Chair thanked Officers for the presentation.

 

AGREED that the information provided was received and noted.