Agenda item

Report of Assistant Director - Planning and Development

***Please note the appendices to this report have been published as a supplement to the main agenda pack***

Purpose of report

To consider the Inspector’s Report on the Examination of the Partial Review of the Cherwell Local Plan 2011-2031 - Oxford’s Unmet Housing Need (the Partial Review Plan) and to make recommendations to Council on the adoption of the Plan. 

Recommendations

The meeting is recommended:

1.          To note the conclusions of the Inspector’s Report and endorse the Inspector’s recommended Main Modifications (Appendix 1).

2.          To endorse the incorporation of the minor modifications set out in Appendix 2.

3.          To note the necessary changes to the Housing Trajectory (Appendix 3) and Infrastructure Schedule (Appendix 4) arising from the Inspector’s recommendations and Main Modifications.

4.          To note the Equalities Impact Assessment at Appendix 5.

5.          To note the final Policies Maps at Appendix 6.

6.          To recommend to Council that it adopts the Partial Review of the Cherwell Local Plan as presented at Appendix 7.

7.          To recommend to Council that it delegates to the Assistant Director – Planning and Development the publication of an updated Adopted Policies Map to illustrate graphically the application of policies contained in the adopted development plan.

8.          To recommend to Council that it delegates to the Assistant Director – Planning and Development, the correction of minor spelling, grammatical or typographical errors and any minor improvements from a presentational perspective prior to the publication of the Local Plan.

9.          To recommend to Council that it authorises the Assistant Director – Planning and Development to publish the Sustainability Appraisal Adoption Statement (Appendix 8) and Local Plan Adoption Statement (Appendix 9).

Resolved

(1)           That the conclusions of the Inspector’s Report be noted and the Inspector’s recommended Main Modifications be endorsed (Annex to the Minutes as set out in the Minute Book).

(2)           That the incorporation of the minor modifications as set out in the Annex to the Minutes (as set out in the Minute Book) be endorsed.

(3)           That the necessary changes to the Housing Trajectory and Infrastructure Schedule (Annexes to the Minutes as set out in the Minute Book) arising from the Inspector’s recommendations and Main Modifications be noted.

(4)           That the Equalities Impact Assessment (Annex to the Minutes as set out in the Minute Book) be noted.

(5)           That the final Policies Maps (Annex to the Minutes as set out in the Minute Book) be noted.

(6)           That Full Council be recommended to adopt the Partial Review of the Cherwell Local Plan (Annex to the Minutes as set out in the Minute Book).

(7)           That Full Council be recommended to delegate to the Assistant Director – Planning and Development the publication of an updated Adopted Policies Map to illustrate graphically the application of policies contained in the adopted development plan.

(8)           That Full Council be recommended to delegate to the Assistant Director – Planning and Development, the correction of minor spelling, grammatical or typographical errors and any minor improvements from a presentational perspective prior to the publication of the Local Plan.

(9)           That Full Council be recommended to authorise the Assistant Director – Planning and Development to publish the Sustainability Appraisal Adoption Statement and Local Plan Adoption Statement (Annexes to the Minutes as set out in the Minute Book).

The Assistant Director - Planning and Development submitted a report to consider the Inspector’s Report on the Examination of the Partial Review of the Cherwell Local Plan 2011-2031 - Oxford’s Unmet Housing Need (the Partial Review Plan) and to make recommendations to Council on the adoption of the Plan. 

In introducing the report the Lead Member for Planning commended and thanked the Assistant Director Planning and Development, the Acting Manager Planning Policy, Conservation and Design and the Planning Policy Team for their hard work on the Cherwell Local Plan and partial review.

Resolved

(1)           That the conclusions of the Inspector’s Report be noted and the Inspector’s recommended Main Modifications be endorsed (Annex to the Minutes as set out in the Minute Book).

(2)           That the incorporation of the minor modifications as set out in the Annex to the Minutes (as set out in the Minute Book) be endorsed.

(3)           That the necessary changes to the Housing Trajectory and Infrastructure Schedule (Annexes to the Minutes as set out in the Minute Book) arising from the Inspector’s recommendations and Main Modifications be noted.

(4)           That the Equalities Impact Assessment (Annex to the Minutes as set out in the Minute Book) be noted.

(5)           That the final Policies Maps (Annex to the Minutes as set out in the Minute Book) be noted.

(6)           That Full Council be recommended to adopt the Partial Review of the Cherwell Local Plan (Annex to the Minutes as set out in the Minute Book).

(7)           That Full Council be recommended to delegate to the Assistant Director – Planning and Development the publication of an updated Adopted Policies Map to illustrate graphically the application of policies contained in the adopted development plan.

(8)           That Full Council be recommended to delegate to the Assistant Director – Planning and Development, the correction of minor spelling, grammatical or typographical errors and any minor improvements from a presentational perspective prior to the publication of the Local Plan.

(9)           That Full Council be recommended to authorise the Assistant Director – Planning and Development to publish the Sustainability Appraisal Adoption Statement and Local Plan Adoption Statement (Annexes to the Minutes as set out in the Minute Book).

Reasons

The Partial Review of the Local Plan is an important part of the Council’s Local Development Scheme.  Its completion would enable the Council to fulfil its commitment in paragraph B.95 of the adopted Cherwell Local Plan (2015).  It would draw to a conclusion a significant period of concerted, cooperative work and provide certainty for the affected communities, notwithstanding the concerns of many who have objected to the development proposals.

Those objections have been considered by the Planning Inspector. He has considered why and how the Plan has been prepared, its proposals and its likely effects. He has considered the case against the Plan, including through public hearings.

The purpose of the Plan is clear - to provide housing to meet identified need.  The plan would provide 4,400 homes including 2200 homes as affordable housing. It would ensure that this happens in the area of the district most suitable for responding to the source of that need.  Completion of the Plan would provide certainty of supply. The Plan is supported by significant proposals for sustainable transport, the delivery of green infrastructure and net gains in biodiversity.  It seeks to provide the opportunity for distinctive place-shaping.

It has now been clearly stated by the appointed Planning Inspector that, with Main Modifications (as proposed by the Council), the Plan is sound.  It has been prepared in accordance with necessary regulatory, procedural and national policy requirements. It had been informed by cooperation and engagement with prescribed bodies and a process of sustainability appraisal. An evidenced led process has been followed.

It is therefore the view of officers that the Partial Review of the Local Plan, incorporating Main and Minor Modifications, would appropriately and sustainably deliver on the Council’s commitment.

Officers advise that the Inspector’s recommendations should be accepted, that the Main and Minor Modifications be endorsed, and that the Plan proceeds to Council for adoption.

Alternative options

Option 1: To proceed to adoption of the Local Plan with the Inspector’s Main Modifications only.

This option was rejected as this would fail to address minor matters of clarification, updating and corrections, which together do not materially affect the policies but without which the Plan would be of lesser quality.

Option 2: Reject the Inspector’s Main Modifications and not proceed to adoption of the Plan.

This option was rejected as the Inspector has recommended all of the Main Modifications proposed by the Council.

Plan making is a crucial part of the planning process and the Secretary of State may direct a local authority to make a plan to ensure that the planning process in any area is properly administered (Section 27, Planning and Compulsory Purchase Act 2004 as amended).