Agenda item

Report of Executive Director for Place and Growth (Interim)

Purpose of report

To seek approvals to progress the production of the Oxfordshire Plan 2050 through adopting the Statement of Community Involvement, approving an amendment to the Local Development Scheme and approving the Regulation 18 (Part 1) document for consultation.

Recommendations

The meeting is recommended:

1.1           To adopt the Statement of Community Involvement (“SCI”) as amended following the close of consultation as attached at Appendix 1.

1.2           To approve the amendment to the Local Development Scheme (“LDS”) as set out at paragraph 3.12 of this report.

1.3           To approve the Regulation 18 (Part 1) Issues Consultation Document for public consultation as attached at Appendix 2.

1.4           To authorise the Executive Director for Place and Growth (Interim), in agreement with the partner councils equivalent, to make any necessary minor and presentational changes to the draft Regulation 18 Consultation Document before formal consultation commences.

Resolved

(1)          That the Statement of Community Involvement (“SCI”) as amended following the close of consultation (annex to the Minutes as set out in the Minute Book) be adopted.

(2)          That the amendment to the Local Development Scheme (“LDS”) – revised key milestones for production of the Oxfordshire Plan – be approved.

(3)          That the Regulation 18 (Part 1) Issues Consultation Document for public consultation (annex to the Minutes as set out in the Minute Book) be approved.

(4)          That the Executive Director for Place and Growth (Interim), in agreement with the partner councils equivalent, be authorised to make any necessary minor and presentational changes to the draft Regulation 18 Consultation Document before formal consultation commences.

The Executive Director for Place and Growth (Interim) submitted a report which sought approvals to progress the production of the Oxfordshire Plan 2050 through adopting the Statement of Community Involvement, approving an amendment to the Local Development Scheme and approving the Regulation 18 (Part 1) document for consultation.

Resolved

(1)          That the Statement of Community Involvement (“SCI”) as amended following the close of consultation (annex to the Minutes as set out in the Minute Book) be adopted.

(2)          That the amendment to the Local Development Scheme (“LDS”) – revised key milestones for production of the Oxfordshire Plan – be approved.

(3)          That the Regulation 18 (Part 1) Issues Consultation Document for public consultation (annex to the Minutes as set out in the Minute Book) be approved.

(4)          That the Executive Director for Place and Growth (Interim), in agreement with the partner councils equivalent, be authorised to make any necessary minor and presentational changes to the draft Regulation 18 Consultation Document before formal consultation commences.

Reasons

The Council and its partners are producing a JSSP for Oxfordshire. Once adopted the JSSP will form part of the Council’s Development Plan against which formal planning decisions will be made and other local planning documents prepared. The Council has a statutory duty to prepare and maintain an LDS under S15 of the PCPA 2004. The preparation of the plan will require community and stakeholder involvement and the production of a SCI is a legal requirement under S18 of the PCPA 2004 to ensure compliance with statutory requirements and Government policy for plan making and consultation on planning matters.  

These documents will not replace the Councils existing LDSs and SCIs, they will remain relevant to all other planning matters. 

Alternative options

Option 1: To not adopt the SCI or the LDS nor agree to consultation on the Regulation 18 consultation paper.

The Council has a legal duty to produce an LDS and an SCI under sections 15 and 18 respectively of the Planning and Compulsory Purchase Act 2004 (as amended) and to carry out early engagement in the content of the Plan under Regulation 18 of The Town and County Planning (Local Planning) (England) Regulations (2012).

Option 2: To reconsider the content of the SCI, LDS and Regulation 18 Consultation Paper.

The SCI has been produced having regard to statutory and policy requirements for plan-making. It is considered by officers to be an appropriate document.

The LDS has been produced having regarded to the statutory responsibilities for plan making, the requirements of the Oxfordshire Housing and Growth Deal and the resources available to the JSSP Project Team.  It is considered by officers to be appropriate for the present and foreseeable circumstances.

The Council has a legal duty to produce an LDS and an SCI under sections 15 and 18 respectively of the Planning and Compulsory Purchase Act 2004 (as amended) and to carry out early engagement in the content of the Plan under Regulation 18 of The Town and County Planning (Local Planning) (England) Regulations (2012).