Agenda item

The Cabinet considered a joint report of the Chief Executive and the Director of Environment and Transport which provided an update on Charnwood Borough Council’s emerging Local Plan, set out a proposed approach to the further Main Modifications consultation and provided an update on the proposed implementation of a Community Infrastructure Levy (CIL).  A copy of the report, marked ‘Agenda Item 7’, is filed with these minutes.

Mr. H. Fowler CC commented that the Charnwood Local Plan review had been in progress for a number of years and planning permission had been granted for a variety of the proposed site allocations with current applications under further review.  Until now, there had been no mechanism in place to secure the necessary contributions from developers.  The introduction of a Community Infrastructure Levy was felt to be the best way forward to address the shortfall and members agreed that this should be adopted as soon as possible.

RESOLVED:

a)    That the latest position in respect of the Local Plan, set out in paragraphs 27-30 of the report, be noted;

b)    That the proposed approach to the County Council’s response to the further Main Modifications consultation set out in paragraphs 31-34 be noted;

c)    That the position be noted, including the associated risks and concerns, with respect to the preparation and implementation of the proposed Community Infrastructure Levy (CIL) and that the further work and next steps set out in paragraphs 35-40 be approved;

d)    That the continued implications for the Local Highway Authority in respect of the planning process and the continued position of the Local Highway Authority in its approach to planning consultations set out in paragraphs 43-45 be noted;

e)    That in line with previous recommendations and delegations, the Chief Executive, the Director of Environment and Transport and the Director of Law and Governance, following consultation with the appropriate Cabinet Lead Members, be authorised to:

i)               Participate appropriately in the development and implementation of a CIL charging schedule in line with national guidance and to seek to influence the adoption of a CIL as soon as possible, recognising the potential for work to be undertaken at risk ahead of possible further Local Plan examination processes;

ii)              Respond to formal and informal consultations on the development of CIL with reference to minimising risk for the County Council in its statutory roles as required;

iii)            Seek to mitigate the impacts arising from the potential further delays to the adoption of the Local Plan as far as reasonably possible.

REASONS FOR DECISION:

The County Council seeks to influence the content of the Local Plan in the interest of local communities, including ensuring that the Local Plan provides a robust as possible policy platform for sustainable development by securing the provision of the infrastructure and services required to support its successful delivery.

The substantial number of sites allocated in the emerging Local Plan that have been (or could be in the near future) granted planning permission without contributing to the delivery of the identified highways and transport measures, due to the lack of an agreed mechanism to secure strategic contributions, have the potential to undermine the delivery of the necessary infrastructure over the life of the Local Plan.

The current proposed Main Modifications to the Local Plan reflect the proposed implementation of a CIL.  Main modifications are material changes to a submitted local plan which are necessary to make it sound and legally compliant.  As previously identified, the expedient adoption of a CIL is the best way to mitigate the potentially negative impacts of a lack of strategic transport investment needed to support growth in Charnwood.

The County Council is therefore supportive of these further Main Modifications in principle and will continue to seek to mitigate these impacts as far as practically possible.  These impacts include those associated with any further delays to the adoption of the Local Plan and approval of allocated sites in advance of an agreed mechanism to secure contributions to (and subsequent delivery of) strategic highways and transport measures.