Agenda item

Report of the Chief Executive.

The Cabinet Member with the Economy Portfolio introduced the report of the Chief Executive (previously circulated) requesting that consideration be given to the revised timetable for producing development plan documents to support the adopted local plan.

The submitted report stated the production of a Local Development Scheme (LDS) was a statutory requirement; the LDS set out the planning documents that the Council would prepare over the next three years; when the key stages of preparation would be; the scope of each document; the resources available for, and risks to, their preparation; and that it would replace the existing LDS 2020/23 which was approved by Cabinet and Council in September 2020.

It was reported that the primary focus over the next three years would be on producing a Climate Change Emergency Development Plan Document (DPD) and an updated Design of New Development Supplementary Planning Document (SPD) which was last reviewed in 2011.  In introducing the report, the Cabinet Member with the Portfolio for Economy noted a reference within the report to ‘One Darlington: Perfectly Placed’, and clarified that all future documents would reference the Council Plan.

During discussion on the report, particular reference was made to the importance of the core value of Tackling Climate Change within the Council Plan, with a question raised in relation to the risks associated with staff retention, stress and illness in the Planning Sector. The Cabinet Member with Economy Portfolio responded thereon.

RESOLVED – That the Local Development Scheme 2024/27, as appended to the submitted report, be approved to take immediate effect.

REASON - The Council is required to have an up-to-date Local Development Scheme (Planning & Compulsory Act 2004, as amended by Section 111, Localism Act 2011).