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Decision details

Submission Crawley Local Plan 2020 - 2035

Decision Maker: Cabinet, Full Council

Decision status: Recommendations Approved

Is Key decision?: Yes

Is subject to call in?: No

Purpose:

The Crawley Local Plan Review has been undertaken to ensure the borough's Local Plan remains up-to-date. In accordance with the adopted Local Development Scheme, the new Crawley 2035 has been prepared based on the outcomes of monitoring the implementation of the 2015 adopted Local Plan, feedback from the early engagement consultation and updating the supporting technical evidence base.

It is supported by a number of statutory supporting documents (a Local Plan Map, a Sustainability Appraisal, a Habitats Regulations Assessment and a Consultation Statement).

Cabinet is asked to recommend to Full Council to approve the submission draft Local Plan for Publication consultation (a statutory six-week period of public consultation).

Cabinet is asked to recommend to Full Council to approve the submission draft Local Plan for Submission to the Secretary of State for Examination by an independent Planning Inspector, subject to minor amendments deemed necessary following consultation for the purposes of clarity.

Cabinet is asked to recommend to Full Council to approve the publication and submission of the supporting documents for the Local Plan: the Local Plan Map; the Sustainability Appraisal; the Habitats Regulations Assessment; the Consultation Statement; and the detailed technical evidence base documents necessary for supporting the Local Plan through Examination.

Decisions:

The Cabinet Member for Planning and Economic Development presented report PES/336 of the Head of Economy and Planning which set out the proposed submission of Crawley Local Plan 2020 – 2035 and its supporting documents, for public consultation and submission to the Secretary of State for Independent Examination.

 

The Cabinet were informed that the Crawley Local Plan Review had been undertaken to ensure the borough's Local Plan remained up-to-date. In accordance with the adopted Local Development Scheme, the new Crawley 2035 Local Plan had been prepared based on the outcomes of monitoring the implementation of the 2015 adopted Local Plan, feedback from the early engagement consultation, and updating the supporting technical evidence base. It had been considered to be an appropriate strategy, taking into account the reasonable alternatives, and the 2015 Plan which was considered to be ‘sound’. This means the Plan had been positively prepared and was justified, effective and consistent with national planning policy. The Plan also included the proposal for the removal of the safeguarded land surrounding Gatwick, as agreed at the Full Council meeting in December 2018.

 

The Plan was supported by a number of statutory supporting documents (a Local Plan Map, a Sustainability Appraisal, a Habitats Regulations Assessment and a Consultation Statement). It was also supported by a number of detailed evidence-based documents including an Infrastructure Plan, a Housing Trajectory, a Duty to Cooperate Statement, and topic-based technical studies.

 

It was noted that following the Planning Inspector’s decision, after the Independent Examination has been completed, the Local Plan would be brought back to Cabinet and Full Council respectively for adoption.

 

Councillor Rana presented the Overview and Scrutiny Commission’s comments on the report to the Cabinet following consideration of the matter at its meeting on 25 November 2019. The Commission commented that it was pleased to support the report and the proposed Local Plan.

 

Councillors Irvine and Lamb both spoke as part of the discussion on the report, acknowledging the importance of the Local Plan in the future development and evolution of the Borough.

 

 

RESOLVED

 

1)            That Full Council be recommended to:

 

(a)          Approve the submission draft Local Plan and Local Plan Map for Publication consultation (a statutory six-week period of public consultation).

 

(b)          Approve the submission draft Local Plan for Submission to the Secretary of State for Examination by an independent Planning Inspector, subject to amendments deemed necessary following consultation and updated evidence for the purposes of clarity.

 

(c)          Note that the final Local Plan will be brought back to Full Council following its independent examination for adoption.

 

2)            That the Cabinet delegates the following to the Head of Economy and Planning in consultation with the Cabinet Member for Planning and Economic Development (Generic Delegation 5 will be used to enact these recommendations), Subject to the adoption by the Full Council.

 

(i)       Factual amendments to the Local Plan necessary in accordance with national policy.

 

(ii)      Should a clear requirement to continue safeguarding at Gatwick be imposed by the Government through the publication of the Aviation White Paper, that the Local Plan be amended to ensure it is consistent with national policy.

 

(iii)     The approval of the supporting documents for the Local Plan and technical evidence base documents to support the Local Plan through Examination.

 

 

Reasons for the Recommendations

 

National Government guidance expects local planning authorities to produce up-to-date Local Plans for their areas, setting out the strategic priorities for the area over a 15-year timescale and showing how development needs will be met. The Crawley Borough Local Plan was adopted by Full Council on 16 December 2015. It covers the period 2015 – 2030 and provides the borough’s full planning policies for the purposes of development management decisions.

 

Submission Crawley Local Plan 2020 2035: http://www.crawley.gov.uk/pw/web/PUB354140

 

Submission draft Local Plan Map: http://www.crawley.gov.uk/pw/web/PUB354135

 

Sustainability Appraisal/Strategic Environmental Assessment Draft Report:

http://www.crawley.gov.uk/pw/web/PUB354139

 

Habitat Regulations Assessment Draft Report:

http://www.crawley.gov.uk/pw/web/PUB354136

 

Draft Consultation Statement: http://www.crawley.gov.uk/pw/web/PUB354137

 

Appendix 1: Early Engagement Consultation Materials

http://www.crawley.gov.uk/pw/web/PUB354142

 

Appendix 2: Regulation 18 Representations Received and Draft Officer Response

http://www.crawley.gov.uk/pw/web/PUB354141

 

Draft Infrastructure Plan: http://www.crawley.gov.uk/pw/web/PUB354138

Report author: Elizabeth Brigden

Publication date: 05/12/2019

Date of decision: 27/11/2019

Decided at meeting: 27/11/2019 - Cabinet

Accompanying Documents: