Issue - meetings

The Council considered a report which outlined the Council’s approach to the Local Plan: Strategy and Sites 2019 (LPSS) review and potential update process in light of the expert independent legal opinion that had recently been provided by Mary Cook.  The report had concluded that in line with the external advice provided and given the high degree of uncertainty, including in relation to the government’s intended changes to the way in which housing need was to be calculated and to the plan making system as a whole, it was considered prudent to not undertake an early Formal Review of the LPSS but instead carry out the Formal Review towards the end of the statutory 5-year period within which the plan must be formally reviewed. 

The report had also confirmed ongoing work in progressing and adopting the emerging Local Plan: Development Management Policies (LPDMP) and progressing a Green Belt Supplementary Planning Document (SPD).  These documents would play a vital role in securing good quality development within the borough over the plan period. It also noted the ongoing work to support the Shaping Guildford’s Future programme and its evidence base, including for this work to inform the preparation of a formal planning document. 

Before proceeding to the debate, the Council

RESOLVED: That a recorded vote be taken in respect of each paragraph of the motion.

The Leader of the Council, Councillor Joss Bigmoreproposed, and the Deputy Leader of the Council, Councillor Julia McShane, seconded the adoption of the following motion:

“(1) That the Council notes the independent expert legal advice of a potential Local Plan Review at Appendix 1 to the report submitted to the Council.

(2)     That the Council endorses the approach proposed to not conclude a Formal Review of the Local Plan: Strategy and Sites (LPSS) at this stage but instead undertake it towards the end of the statutory five-year period unless circumstances change in such a way that means that undertaking an earlier review would be advantageous to the Council.

(3)     That the Executive be updated on the outcomes of the review of the transport evidence base currently underway and any other significant changes in circumstance that may impact on considerations regarding the timing of the Formal Review of the LPSS. 

(4)     That priority be given to the production of a Green Belt Supplementary Planning Document alongside the emerging Local Plan: Development Management Policies.

Reason:

To update Council on progress on the Council resolution [see minute CO102] which was agreed on 13 April 2021”.

Under Council Procedure Rule 15 (o), Councillor Bigmore as the mover of the original motion, indicated that, with the consent of his seconder and of the meeting, he wished to alter his motion as follows:

(a)   Substitute “Borough” in place of “Council” at the end of paragraph (2)

(b)   Substitute “Full Council” in place of “Executive” in paragraph (3)

The motion, as altered, would read as follows:

“(1) That the Council notes the independent expert legal advice of a potential Local Plan Review at  ...  view the full minutes text for item 113