Issue - meetings
Advancing the Local Plan for Lancaster District
Meeting: 05/12/2017 - Cabinet (Item 57)
57 Advancing the Local Plan for Lancaster District 
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(Cabinet Member with Special Responsibility Councillor Hanson)
Report of Chief Officer (Regeneration & Planning)
Minutes:
(Cabinet Member with Special Responsibility Councillor Hanson)
Cabinet received a report from the Chief Officer (Regeneration & Planning) to secure Cabinet’s endorsement of recommendations with regard to the Local Plan prior to it being considered by Council.
The options, options analysis, including risk assessment and officer preferred option, were set out in the report as follows:
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Option 1: Endorse the recommendation of the intention to take the Local Plan for Lancaster District to Council to seek a resolution to publish, obtain formal representations and submit to the government for Independent Examination whilst acknowledging the challenge, risks and costs of advancing the emerging plan |
Option 2: Do not endorse the recommendation of the intention to take the Local Plan for Lancaster District to Council seeking a resolution to publish, obtain formal representations and submit to the government for Independent Examination whilst acknowledging the challenge, risks and costs of advancing the emerging plan |
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Advantages |
Officers can continue the process of preparing the plan for presentation with council in the knowledge that this process has been endorsed by Cabinet |
None apparent |
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Disadvantages |
None apparent |
Officers would continue the process of preparing the plan for presentation with council but in the knowledge that this this process had not presently been endorsed by Cabinet |
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Risks |
None apparent |
When making a decision on the publication and submission of the plan the Council would not have the benefit of the Cabinet endorsement of the process, however, that would not have implications for the council’s consideration of the plan that will be presented |
Option 1 is the preferred officer option. Officers recommend that the emerging proposed Local Plan is finalised for presentation to Council, potentially on 20th December 2017.
The intended publication edition of the Local Plan, specifically the Strategic Policies & Land Allocations DPD, and a review of the Development Management Policies DPD, are at an advanced stage of preparation. It is anticipated that these will reported to Council on 20th December 2017. Whilst many issues are still to resolved a delay in advancing the Local Plan will mean that the current development plan policies will become further out of date, exposing the Council to an increasing risk of losing appeals on sites that do not represent sustainable development. Failure to advance the plan will also greatly undermine the opportunity to secure very significant financial contributions that can address the district’s deficits in highway and transport infrastructure, through time-sensitive fund-bidding processes.
Councillor Hanson proposed, seconded by Councillor Warriner:-
“That the recommendations, as set out in the report, be approved.”
Councillors then voted:-
Resolved unanimously:
(1) That Cabinet support the intention to take the Local Plan for Lancaster District to Council, anticipated on 20th December 2017, with a recommendation seeking a resolution to publish the Local Plan for Lancaster District, obtain formal representations and then submit the document to the government for Independent Examination. This will ensure that the relevant regulations are followed and will enable stakeholders, including residents, to have their view on the ... view the full minutes text for item 57