Agenda item

This report summarises the key stages since Full Council approved submission of the draft Brent Local Plan for Examination on 19^th February 2020.  These include the examination and associated hearings and the recommendations of the Inspectors appointed on behalf of the Secretary of State to examine the Local Plan.  The Inspectors’ report recommends that, subject to incorporation of their main modifications, the draft Brent Local Plan can be regarded as legally compliant and sound.

Full Council is therefore being asked to consider the report and incorporate the main modifications, other non-‘main’ modifications and modifications to the policies map to the draft Brent Local Plan submitted for examination, prior to formally approving its adoption.  As part of this process Full Council is also being asked to formally revoke parts of the existing Brent Development Plan which the new policies will supersede.

Council RESOLVED, having considered the report of the Inspectors appointed to examine the draft Brent Local Plan, as set out in Appendix 1 of the report:

(1)     To approve the proposed schedule of ‘main’ modifications recommended as set out in Appendix 2 of the report as necessary by the Inspectors to make the draft Brent Local Plan capable of being found sound.

(2)     To approve non-main modifications to the draft Brent Local Plan as shown in Appendix 3 of the report and modifications to the draft Brent Local Plan Policies Map as shown in Appendix 4 of the report.

(3)     To adopt the Brent Local Plan 2022 as set out within Appendix 5 of the report incorporating the draft Local Plan submitted for examination with modifications set out in Appendices 2 and 3 of the repoirt, and also the associated policies map within Appendix 6 of the report that will incorporate modifications as set out in Appendix 4 of the report.

(4)     To revoke the Brent Core Strategy 2010, Brent Site Allocations Development Plan Document 2011, the Wembley Area Action Plan 2015 and the Development Management Policies Plan 2016 so that they are no longer considered Development Plan Documents for the purposes of determining planning applications within the area that the Council remains the Local Planning Authority and also their associated policies map

(5)     To delegate authority to the Strategic Director Regeneration and Environment in consultation with the Cabinet Member for Regeneration, Property and Planning to make any further necessary minor modifications and confirm the final format of the printed Brent Local Plan 2022.

Having concluded consideration of the budget, the Mayor then invited Councillor Tatler, Cabinet Member for Regeneration Property & Planning, to introduce the report from the Strategic Director of Regeneration & Environment, updating members on the key stages undertaken since Full Council had approved the Draft Brent Local Plan for examination on 19 February 2020 and seeking approval, subject to incorporation of the modifications recommended by the Inspectors appointed by the Secretary of State, to formal adoption of the Brent Local Plan 2022.

In introducing the report Councillor Tatler highlighted the significance of the Local Plan in setting a vision for development of the borough and in delivering the aspirations set out in the Council’s Borough Plan.  Whilst seeking to address the longer term challenges identified as a result of the predicted increase in population within Brent along with changes in the way people lived and worked and impact of the climate emergency, development of the Plan had also been focussed around the more immediate challenges identified.  These included the supply of Affordable Housing, creation of jobs, protection of industrial and green space, high streets and associated infrastructure.

Referring to the importance of an up to date, relevant and sound Local Plan as a means of focussing planning and wider development policies over the next 20 years, Councillor Tatler advised members that the Plan was not only focussed on the delivery of the necessary housing and infrastructure developments but included a wider balance in terms of developing and meeting the aspirations of local communities and in seeking to address more fundamental inequalities highlighted through the Black Community Action Plan, Poverty Commission, Inclusive Growth Strategy, work relating to tackling violence against women and girls and the pandemic.

In terms of the detailed process, members were advised that work had started on development of the Plan back in 2017 with its content having been informed by continuous engagement both internally and externally involving local communities, residents and other key stakeholders.  This had involved a series evidence gathering session and rounds of public consultation (including a borough wide letter to residents and inclusion of the Neighbourhood Forums) alongside a detailed public examination and inspection process undertaken by independent Planning Inspectors on behalf of the Secretary of State.  In concluding her introductory comments, Councillor Tatler advised members she was proud to present the Local Plan for adoption as a means of providing the basis to determine future planning applications that would support good quality developments and delivering not only the level of housing required but also targets in relation to affordable housing and land supply, jobs, sustainable development along with the necessary infrastructure.  Reassurance was also provided that adoption of the Plan would not lead to the development of tall buildings or Intensification Corridors throughout the borough or lead to an increase of development in residential back gardens or on protected green spaces but would enable the Council meet its moral and legal obligations in terms of planning to meet the needs and aspirations of future generations based on views expressed from a range of stakeholders across the borough.

Prior to opening up the report for wider debate the opportunity was also taken by Councillor Tatler to thank all members of the Planning Policy Team for their work in developing the Plan which was commended to Council for approval.

The Mayor then opened the debate inviting other members to speak on the report, with the following contributions made.

Councillor Daly began by highlighting a number of specific concerns regarding the functioning of the Neighbourhood Forum along with what she regarded to be the spreading of misinformation within her ward regarding the impact of the Local Plan in terms of the provision for Tall Buildings, compulsory purchase of land and building in and around green spaces.  Highlighting her support for the Local Plan presented for adoption, she felt it important to outline her confidence that the policies within the Plan would continue to protect the green spaces and character of her ward.

Councillor Georgiou, in outlining his concerns regarding the Local Plan, highlighted the specific impact of what he felt had been the overdevelopment and intensification of tall buildings within his ward and expressed support for the efforts of organisations such as Sudbury Town Residents Association and the Wembley Central and Alperton Residents Association in also seeking to highlighted these impacts and defend the interests of local people.  Councillor Georgiou outlined the scale and impact of various large scale developments within his ward along with concerns at what he felt to be the lack of adequate supporting infrastructure to accompany them and as an example highlighted comments expressed by a local resident on the associated impact.  As a result Councillor Georgiou urged members to consider deferring adoption of the Local Plan for further consideration given the potential impact on local residents, views expressed about the Plan not addressing the housing needs of the most vulnerable and need to ensure the necessary investment was secured for the provision of associated infrastructure in terms of health, schools, transport and open space in order to match the scale of development proposed.

Following on from the issues highlighted by Councillor Daly, Councillor Maurice also felt it was important to ensure the spreading of misinformation was avoided and challenged in terms of moving forward on any further engagement.

As no further members indicated they wished to speak the Mayor then invited Councillor Tatler to exercise her right of reply.

In summing up and responding to the comments made during the debate, Councillor Tatler began by highlighting that development of the Plan had been the culmination of an extensive five year process of evidence gathering and consultation, ending with a detailed public examination and inspection process which had been open for the public and local representatives to fully engage in.  In terms of infrastructure, proposals had been included to ensure the necessary provision and investment was secured working with key stakeholders, including Transport for London with the importance of the Plan also highlighted in terms of the planning required to support future generations.  This would not only be in relation to housing supply, but also jobs, industrial land, healthy streets and transport along with the protection of green and open spaces based on a well-planned and evidence based approach designed to meet the needs identified across the borough.  On this basis Councillor Tatler commended the report and Brent Local Plan 2022 to Council for adoption.

The Mayor then put the recommendations in the report to the vote and they were declared CARRIED.

Council therefore RESOLVED, having considered the report of the Inspectors appointed to examine the draft Brent Local Plan, as set out in Appendix 1 of the report:

(1)    To approve the proposed schedule of ‘main’ modifications recommended as set out in Appendix 2 of the report as necessary by the Inspectors to make the draft Brent Local Plan capable of being found sound.

(2)    To approve non-main modifications to the draft Brent Local Plan as shown in Appendix 3 of the report and modifications to the draft Brent Local Plan Policies Map as shown in Appendix 4 of the report.

(3)    To adopt the Brent Local Plan 2022 as set out within Appendix 5 of the report incorporating the draft Local Plan submitted for examination with modifications set out in Appendices 2 and 3 of the report, and also the associated policies map within Appendix 6 of the report that will incorporate modifications as set out in Appendix 4 of the report.

(4)    To revoke the Brent Core Strategy 2010, Brent Site Allocations Development Plan Document 2011, the Wembley Area Action Plan 2015 and the Development Management Policies Plan 2016 so that they are no longer considered Development Plan Documents for the purposes of determining planning applications within the area that the Council remains the Local Planning Authority and also their associated policies map

(5)    To delegate authority to the Strategic Director Regeneration and Environment in consultation with the Cabinet Member for Regeneration, Property and Planning to make any further necessary minor modifications and confirm the final format of the printed Brent Local Plan 2022.