Agenda item

Report of the Director of Economic Growth and Neighbourhood Services

The Director of Economic Growth and Neighbourhood Services submitted a report (previously circulated) that sought approval for changes to the Darlington Local Plan, following the consultation which occurred between 21 June and 2 August 2018.

 

The submitted report also sought agreement for the publication of the Proposed Submission copy of the Local Plan for the statutory six-week period to allow representations to be received prior to submission for independent examination; a number of delegated powers for the Director of Economic Growth and Neighbourhood Services, in consultation with the Economy Portfolio Holder; and approval of the revised timetable and process for producing the new Local Plan (including the revision of the Local Development Scheme).

 

The submitted report stated that the new Local Plan would cover the period 2016 to 2036, with the ambition to submit the Local Plan for inspection by the end of August 2020, with adoption likely by April 2021. It was stated that the submitted report followed a previous report on 6 June 2018, which agreed the consultation on the Draft Local Plan, which was subsequently carried out for a six-week period between 21 June and 2 August 2018. The submitted report summarised the responses received, and highlighted changes to the recommendations to the original Draft Local Plan.

 

The following amendment to the Motion was moved by Councillor Harker, and seconded by Councillor Layton:

 

‘To reject the local plan as it currently stands and request that Cabinet:

 

1.    Undertake a further period of extensive consultation, specifically to reassess residents’ views about the scale of development currently proposed in the draft Local Plan.

 

2.    Further consider and determine, based on residents’ views, to what extent proposed development should be reduced, and specifically whether Skerningham should be fully withdrawn.

 

3.    That Cabinet represent the Local Plan (as may be amended) to Council as soon as is practicable thereafter.’

 

In accordance with Council Procedure Rules, a request was made by five Members for a named vote on the Amendment. A named vote was taken of those Members present at the meeting and there appeared:-

 

For the Amendment – The Mayor; Councillors Ali, Allen, Cossins, Crumbie, Harker, Haszeldine, Heslop, Holroyd, Howarth, C. L. B. Hughes, L. Hughes, Layton, Lucas, McCollom, McEwan, Newall, M. Nicholson, Paley and Snedker (20)

 

Against the Amendment – Councillors Bartch, Bell, Dr. Chou, Clarke, Crudass, Mrs. Culley, Curry, Donoghue, Dulston, Durham, Howell, Johnson, B. Jones, Mrs. D. Jones, Laing, Lee, Marshall, Mills, K. Nicholson, Preston, Renton, Mrs. H. Scott, Tait, Tostevin and Wright (25)

 

Abstentions – Councillor Keir (1)

 

The Amendment was Lost.

 

The following amendment to the Motion was moved by Councillor Howarth, and seconded by Councillor Haszeldine:

 

‘To reject the Local Plan as it currently stands and request that Cabinet:

 

1.    Remove the Skerningham Strategic Allocation, and

 

2.    Bring back the Local Plan to Council, as soon as is practicable thereafter.’

 

In accordance with Council Procedure Rules, a request was made by five Members for a named vote on the Amendment. A named vote was taken of those Members present at the meeting and there appeared:-

 

For the Amendment – The Mayor; Councillors Ali, Allen, Cossins, Crumbie, Harker, Haszeldine, Heslop, Holroyd, Howarth, C. L. B. Hughes, L. Hughes, Layton, Lucas, McCollom, McEwan, Newall, M. Nicholson, Paley and Snedker (20)

 

Against the Amendment – Councillors Bartch, Bell, Dr. Chou, Clarke, Crudass, Mrs. Culley, Curry, Donoghue, Dulston, Durham, Howell, Johnson, B. Jones, Mrs. D. Jones, Laing, Lee, Marshall, Mills, K. Nicholson, Preston, Renton, Mrs. H. Scott, Tait, Tostevin and Wright (25)

 

Abstentions – Councillor Keir (1)

 

The Amendment was Lost.

 

The following amendment to the Motion was moved by Councillor Snedker, and seconded by Councillor Holroyd:

 

‘To make the following amendments to the Draft Local Plan

 

Section 5.1.10 Energy Efficient Design (page 22)

 

1.    ‘Delete “These standards will be updated over the coming years to further improve the energy efficiency of new homes on an ongoing basis”, and replace with “Through a local variation to the NPPF we will increase the energy efficiency standard for new homes built in the Borough every year, for the next ten years to reach Passivhaus standards by 2030, or sooner if mandated by national government policy decisions”.’

 

Section 10.6.22 Renewable and Energy Efficient Infrastructure (page 116)

 

2.    ‘Policy Policy IN 9 notes the Council’s support for applications for renewable energy infrastructure. Wind generation applications cannot be granted permission unless “the development site is in an area identified as suitable for wind energy development in a Local or Neighbourhood Plan”

 

However the Local Plan does not make land allocations for wind or solar generation.

 

Request that the Local Plan be revised to identify suitable land allocations for wind and solar energy development.’

 

In accordance with Council Procedure Rules, a request was made by five Members for a named vote on the Amendment. A named vote was taken of those Members present at the meeting and there appeared:-

 

For the Amendment – The Mayor; Councillors Ali, Allen, Cossins, Crumbie, Curry, Harker, Heslop, Holroyd, Howarth, C. L. B. Hughes, L. Hughes, Layton, Lucas, McCollom, McEwan, Newall, M. Nicholson, Paley and Snedker (20)

 

Against the Amendment – Councillors Bartch, Bell, Dr. Chou, Clarke, Crudass, Mrs. Culley, Donoghue, Dulston, Durham, Howell, Johnson, B. Jones, Mrs. D. Jones, Keir, Laing, Lee, Marshall, Mills, K. Nicholson, Preston, Renton, Mrs. H. Scott, Tait, Tostevin and Wright (25)

 

NOTE: Councillor Haszeldine was not present at the meeting when the vote was taken.

 

The Amendment was Lost.

 

The following amendment to the Motion was moved by Councillor Curry, and seconded by Councillor Allen:

 

‘To add a paragraph after letter (f) of the recommendations, and insert at (g):

 

‘To delay the forwarding of the deposit to open up the ability for one more report to be submitted for consideration. This delay and the acceptance of the report will strengthen the policies within the Local Plan and protect the Council even more than now.’

 

This would therefore make it necessary to amend subsequent paragraph lettering.’

 

The Amendment was Lost.

 

In accordance with Council Procedure Rules, a request was made by five Members for a named vote on the Substantive Motion. A named vote was taken of those Members present at the meeting and there appeared :-

 

For the Motion – Councillors Bartch, Bell, Dr. Chou, Clarke, Crudass, Mrs. Culley, Donoghue, Dulston, Durham, Howell, Johnson, B. Jones, Mrs. D. Jones, Laing, Lee, Marshall, Mills, K. Nicholson, Preston, Renton, Mrs. H. Scott, Tait, Tostevin and Wright (24)

 

Against the Motion – The Mayor; Councillors Ali, Allen, Cossins, Crumbie, Curry, Harker, Heslop, Holroyd, Howarth, C. L. B. Hughes, L. Hughes, Layton, Lucas, McCollom, McEwan, Newall, M. Nicholson, Paley and Snedker (20)

 

Abstentions – Councillor Keir (1)

 

NOTE: Councillor Haszeldine was not present at the meeting when the vote was taken.

 

RESOLVED - (a) That the changes to the Plan in response to representations received as highlighted in Appendix 1 and 2 of the submitted report, be agreed.

 

(b) That the extra changes to the Plan and Policies Map suggested by Officers and as a result of an Inspectors Advisory Visit (undertaken on 4 September 2019) highlighted in Appendix 3 of the submitted report, be agreed.

 

(c) That the recommendations not to make further changes to the Plan as highlighted in Appendix 4 of the submitted report, be agreed.

 

(d) That the changes in relation to the Sustainability Appraisal (Appendix 5 of the submitted report), be agreed.

 

(e) That the Local Development Scheme (2020-2023) (Appendix 6 of the submitted report) is approved to take immediate effect.

 

(f) That the Proposed Submission Draft Local Plan be approved for a six-week pre-submission representation period.

 

(g) That, following the conclusion of the pre-submission representation period, the Director of Economic Growth and Neighbourhood Services, in consultation with the Portfolio holder for Economy Portfolio, be authorised to make any minor editing and formatting changes necessary.

 

(h) That the Director of Economic Growth and Neighbourhood Services, in consultation with the Portfolio holder for Economy, be authorised to thereafter submit the Proposed Submission Local Plan (including any changes made under 18(g) above) and other required documents to the Planning Inspectorate for examination.

 

(i) That the Director of Economic Growth and Neighbourhood Services, in consultation with the Portfolio holder for Economy, be authorised to ask the Inspector appointed to hold the Examination, to recommend such modifications to the Proposed Submission Local Plan and submission documents as may be necessary to satisfy the requirements as to soundness.

 

(j) That Council agrees that the Proposed Submission Local Plan be approved to be placed on deposit to allow representation and then be submitted to the Secretary of State for Independent Examination.

 

REASONS - (a) Local Planning Authorities must prepare a Local Plan that sets out the local planning policies for their local planning authority area.  Government guidance requires that Local Plans must be positively prepared, justified, effective and be consistent with national policy, in accordance with Section 20 of the Planning and Compulsory Purchase Act 2004 (as amended) and the National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF).

 

(b) 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).