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Agenda item

Cotswold District Local Plan - Partial Update

Purpose

To consider the recommendation to Council to start preparing a new local plan for the period 2026 to 2041 and to consult on a document that includes development strategy options.

 

To consider the recommendation to consult the public on a set of draft policies that update the adopted Cotswold District Local Plan 2011-31 (the adopted Local Plan).

 

To consider the recommendation to consult the public on an ‘initial ideas’ Cirencester Town Centre Framework Masterplan consultation document.

 

For Cabinet to approve the updated Statement of Community Involvement and the updated Local Development Scheme documents.

 

Recommendation

That the Overview and Scrutiny Committee scrutinises the report and agrees any recommendations it wishes to submit to the Cabinet meeting on 11 January

 

Invited

Councillor Juliet Layton, Cabinet Member for Planning and Regulatory Services

James Brain, Forward Planning Manager

 

Note: Annex C is viewable on the website by clicking ‘Agenda reports pack’ at the top of webpage and selecting ‘Local Plan Partial Update Annex C- Draft Policies’.

Minutes:

OS.25Cotswold District Local Plan Update and Cirencester Town Centre Framework Masterplan

 

The Committee took a ten-minute break, reconvening before proceeding onto this item.

 

The Chair introduced the item, and recommended that due to the size and scope of the Local Plan Partial Update, the Committee focused on:

·         Whether the Council should start preparing the Development Strategy and Site Allocation Plan now;

·         The development strategy options;

·         Moreton-in-Marsh as highlighted by the Members Question and Public Question. [AB1] 

 

The Chair invited the Cabinet Member to introduce the report. The purpose of the item was to:

 

  • Consider the recommendation to Council to start preparing a new local plan for the period 2026 to 2041 and to consult on a document that includes development strategy options:
  • To consider the recommendation to consult the public on a set of draft policies that update the adopted Cotswold District Local Plan 2011-31 (the adopted Local Plan):
  • To consider the recommendation to consult the public on an ‘initial ideas’ Cirencester Town Centre Framework Masterplan consultation document; and
  • For Cabinet to approve the updated Statement of Community Involvement and the updated Local Development Scheme documents.

 

The Cabinet Member provided an overview of the report, and explained that the purpose of updating the Local Plan was to address Climate Change and ensure that communities are given the opportunity to shape how future needs are delivered across the district and in their communities. It was also explained that having an up-to-date Local Plan will help to ensure the council maintains an enduring housing land supply and guard against speculative applications for development. [CH2] [JB3] The Cabinet Member further explained that the intention is to join the adopted Local Plan partial update: draft policies (annex x) and a new Local Plan (which would include a new development strategy and site allocations for the plan period 2026-41) together ahead of the Government’s Planning Reform deadline of 30 June 2025. However, Council would be updated on whether this is possible by the end of the year. It was stated that if it is deeded not possible, then the Local Plan partial update (i.e. a finalised version of Annex C) would be submitted separately and the new local Plan 2026-41 would transition in to the government’s new planning system in 2025.

 

Members discussed the report and raised the following points, which were answered by the Cabinet Member and Officers;

 

  • The Forward Planning Manager assured members that although the deadlines were tight, the consultation would be delivered to the necessary deadlines.
  • Members stated that it would be necessary to ensure that the appropriate infrastructure, including flood mitigation and the appropriate environmental studies were in place before building more housing in Moreton-in-Marsh. The Forward Planning Manager stated that they would continue to engage with stakeholders such as Gloucestershire County Council. He also explained the importance of ensuring the Public identify infrastructure issues in their communities as this will aid how the plan progresses and the type and scale of new infrastructure required.
  • Members asked about the Strategic Housing and Economic Land Availability Assessment document (SHELAA), which the Forward Planning Manager stated would be updated later in the year. He explained that a the consultation would include a ‘call for sites’ that will aid the SHELAA update.
  • The Forward Planning Manager stated that the online consultation  would be launched on 1 February at your.cotswold.gov.uk a note to all members will notify them of this.
  • Members commented on the Cirencester Town Centre Masterplan and whether pedestrianisation was still in scope. The Forward Planning Manager stated that the document set out a broad vision and several principles to guide future development of which active travel / pedestrianisation is a feature. 

 

 

RESOLVED: To agree that Cabinet Recommend to Council that Cotswold District Council begin the preparation of a new Local Plan that would extend the plan period from 31 March 2031 to 31 March 2041 and approves the Vision, Objectives and Development Strategy consultation document, as presented at Annex B, to be published for a six week public consultation;

 

Voting Record

 

For 10, Against 0, Abstentions 0, 0 Absent/Did not vote

 

RESOLVED: That the Committee makes a recommendation to Cabinet that a working group is set up to consider the development of a Strategic plan for Moreton in Marsh. 

 

Voting record

 

For 10, Against 0, Abstentions 0, 0 Absent/Did not vote

 

Recommendation: That the Council establishes and defines the terms of reference for a cross-party working group to consider the development of a strategic plan for Moreton in Marsh. 

 

A timeline for the set-up of the working group to form part of the recommendation to Cabinet

 

That the Committee support twin tracking the Local Plan development as set out in the recommendations.

 

Voting Record

 

For 10, Against 0, Abstentions 0, 0 Absent/Did not vote

 [AB1]Do the bullet points work better here?

 [CH2]I think James B might need to be consulted on this bit, particularly in relation to the JR on the housing supply bit

 [JB3]So long as it doesn’t specifically mention the JR then we’re fine.

Supporting documents:

 

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