Agenda item

This report provides an update on the Localism Bill and in particular anticipated changes to local plan-making as a result of the proposal for Neighbourhood Plans.  The report also provides details of an emerging neighbourhood plan proposed for Sudbury.  

Members received a report that provided an update on the Localism Bill and in particular anticipated changes to local plan-making as a result of the proposal for Neighbourhood Plans.  The report also provided details of an emerging neighbourhood plan proposed for Sudbury. Ken Hillock, Policy Manager informed the Committee that the Localism Bill would introduce wide ranging changes to the powers and responsibilities of local government in a push to decentralise power from central government.  The Bill was currently being considered by the House of Lords and subject to amendments it would become an Act of Parliament.  He highlighted the main changes included in the Localism Bill; general powers of competence, local government funding, governance arrangements, the right to challenge and buy community assets, housing reform and planning reform.  He then focussed on the key provisions of the Bill affecting the planning system including; abolition of regional strategies, a new National Planning Framework and Neighbourhood Plans. 

He referred to amendments to the Localism Bill which included a new clause (124) which required planning authorities to have regard to material considerations including finance when considering planning applications. It was noted with concern that financial considerations were being given prominence by the amendment which would go contrary to a fundamental principle of planning that unacceptable development should not be permitted because of inducements or financial benefits.  The amendment could also lead to public suspicion that permissions were being bought and sold.   Members also noted that a key element of planning reform was the introduction of Neighbourhood Plans as a new tier to the planning system.   While the new Neighbourhood Plans will have equal status as other parts of the development plan such as the Core Strategy, they would need to be in line with strategic policies.  The local authority would be required to provide support and advice to neighbourhoods undertaking neighbourhood planning which might include gathering relevant evidence or advising on consultation

Ken Hullock updated members that the planning department had been approached by members of Sudbury Town Residents Association (STRA) who wish to develop a Neighbourhood Plan and apply for the government’s Neighbourhood Planning Frontrunners scheme.  £20,000 grant would be available for assisting communities in creating a Neighbourhood Plan.  An application for the Frontrunners scheme would be made by the council on behalf of STRA.  Should it be successful, the council will receive the grant which would then be available for STRA to fund production of the plan, including professional fees.  He added that planning officers had recommended a boundary for the neighbourhood planning area which would be included in the Frontrunners application (Appendix 1).  Should the application be successful, the boundary would need to be formally agreed by the council.

Members noted that the proposal for supporting neighbourhood plans was no advantage to the Council as it would involve a drain on resources including officer time.  Chris Walker, Director of Planning added that neighbourhood plans were more likely to be suitable to parish areas and would be challenging in built up areas like Brent.  He added that the pilot scheme in Sudbury would be assessed for its success.

RESOLVED:

(i)        That the key legislative and planning policy changes as set out in this report and the likely resource implications of future neighbourhood plan proposals be noted; 

(ii)       That the proposals for a Sudbury Neighbourhood Plan and the proposed boundary attached as appendix 1 to the report be noted.