Issue - meetings

Planning and Economic Development Portfolio

To consider report PES/336 of the Head of Economy and Planning, which was referred to the meeting of the Overview and Scrutiny Commission on 25 November 2019.

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  ...  view the full minutes text for item 11

To consider report PES/336 of the Head of Economy and Planning.

The Commission considered report PES/336 of the Head of Economy and Planning. The report sought to recommend to Full Council the approval of the submission draft Local Plan for public consultation (a statutory six-week period of public consultation), approval of 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) and Full Council approval of the publication and submission of the supporting documents for the Local Plan.

Throughout the discussion with the Cabinet Member for Planning and Economic Development, Forward Planning Manager and the Planning Policy Manager, Councillors made the following comments:

·         Recognition that whilst there had previously been an explicit requirement by government policy to safeguard land, national policy for aviation had evolved.

·         Explanation was provided regarding the previously safeguarded land at Gatwick. Under Policy SD3 land is designated for the preparation of an Area Action Plan (AAP) and this would commence within 3 months of the adoption of the Local Plan. The AAP would assess the needs for future growth and operational needs of the airport alongside other development needs arising in the borough.

·         Consideration would be given to the character of the rural area and the importance of maintaining a visual break between the edge of Crawley and the airport.

·         Whilst housing development needs would be considered, it was noted these would be within a small area due to noise constrains from the existing runway.

Recommendations:

That the Commission agreed to support the recommendations.