(Cabinet Member with Special Responsibility Councillor Dowding)
Cabinet received a report from the Director for Economic Growth & Regeneration the purpose of which was for Members to consider the draft Flood Risk and Sustainable Drainage Supplementary Planning Document, the draft Flood Risk – Sequential Test and Exception Test Supplementary Planning Document and the draft Provision of Electric Vehicles Charging Infrastructure Supplementary Planning Document and seek authorisation for the Service Manager – Planning and Housing Strategy to proceed with informal and statutory consultation.
The options, options analysis, including risk assessment and officer preferred option, were set out in the report as follows:
Option 1: Progress the draft SPDs through informal and statutorily defined consultation process.
Advantages: The consultation process will provide engagement with stakeholders and allow them to influence the content of the draft SPDs. Consultation and appropriate consideration of the responses will ensure that the SPDs can be afforded weight when determining planning applications. On adoption the SPDs will support the Council’s aspirations to address the climate emergency, mitigate risks to our community from climate change and support an inclusive transition to zero carbon living.
Disadvantages:
No disadvantages.
Risks: No risks.
Option 2: Do not progress the draft SPDs through informal and statutorily defined consultation process.
Advantages: No advantages.
Disadvantages: Additional guidance about the criteria within planning policies will not be available for prospective applicants or as a decision-making tool. The SPDs will not be available to support the Council’s aspirations to address the climate emergency, mitigate risks to our community from climate change and support an inclusive transition to zero carbon living.
Risks: Processing the draft SPDs without the necessary consultation will reduce any weight which could be attached to it in the decision-making process.
The officer preferred option is Option 1 - Progress the draft SPDs through informal and statutorily defined consultation process to ensure that if adopted it can be given weight in decision making.
Councillor Dowding proposed, seconded by Councillor Lewis:-
“That the recommendations, as set out in the report, be approved.”
Councillors then voted:-
Resolved unanimously:
(1) That Cabinet approve the draft SPDs and delegate authority to the Service Manager – Planning and Housing Strategy to advance the draft SPDs through informal and statutory defined consultation processes.
(2) That the SPDs will then be adopted unless the consultation results in any significant changes, in which case the amended SPD will be reported back to Cabinet for final endorsement.
Officer responsible for effecting the decision:
Director for Economic Growth & Regeneration
Reasons for making the decision:
The Corporate Plan and Priorities (January 2022) includes a priority to create a sustainable district by taking action to meet the challenges of the climate emergency and transitioning to a low carbon transport system and to provide for healthy and happy Communities by supporting wellbeing. The CERLP includes policies which seek to address flood risk and provide for electric vehicle charging infrastructure. The draft SPDs will support the implementation of policies within the CERLP.