Issue - meetings

Report of Assistant Director – Planning and Development

Purpose of report

To seek approval of an updated Local Development Scheme (LDS) for the production of the Council’s key planning policy documents.

Recommendations

The meeting is recommended:

1.1          To approve the updated Local Development Scheme (LDS) presented at Appendix 1.

Resolved

(1)          That the updated Local Development Scheme (LDS) (annex to the Minutes as set out in the Minute Book) be approved.

The Assistant Director – Planning and Development submitted a report to seek approval of an updated Local Development Scheme (LDS) for the production of the Council’s key planning policy documents.

On behalf of Executive, the Chairman commended and thanked the Planning policy team for their hard work on the Scheme.

Resolved

(1)          That the updated Local Development Scheme (LDS) (annex to the Minutes as set out in the Minute Book) be approved.

Reasons

An updated LDS has been prepared.  It provides a programme for the preparation of the Council’s key planning policy documents to guide future planning decisions.  The Council has a statutory responsibility to prepare and maintain an LDS.  The LDS will be used by officers, the public, partners and developers and other stakeholders to monitor the production of documents and to plan for associated consultations.  Approval of the LDS is needed to assist project management and ensure that the Council meets its statutory responsibilities for plan-making.

Alternative options

Option 1: Not to approve the LDS

The Council has a statutory responsibility to maintain an up-to-date LDS.  If the Council did not prepare its own LDS the Secretary of State could impose one.  Aside from legal duty, not to approve the LDS could undermine the confidence of the public and stakeholders about the Council’s plan-making programme.  The LDS would need to be re-presented to the Executive at a future meeting or to the Lead Member for Planning.

Option 2: To reconsider the content of the LDS

The LDS has been prepared having regard to the Council’s statutory responsibilities and current resources.  It is considered by officers to be appropriate for the present and foreseeable circumstances.