Issue - meetings

To consider the attached report of the Planning Policy and Projects Manager.

Due to the size of the document, it will be published as a supplementary paper.

The Planning Policy and Projects Manager presented the report on the Adoption of Dover District Local Plan 2020-40.

Members thanked officers for their hard work in producing the Local Plan.

Members discussed the impact of the government’s proposed changes to National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF) and new housing targets on the Local Plan. They were advised that the Local Plan would be reviewed in response to any changes and that it was believed that in the short term (5 years), the Local Plan would not require any changes as a result of the proposed new housing target.

Councillor M W Moorhouse read out a statement on behalf of Sandwich Town Council outlining their concerns in respect of the Local Plan.

It was moved by Councillor E A Biggs, duly seconded by Councillor J S Back, and

(a)  That the Inspectors’ Final Report into the examination of the Dover District Local Plan be noted (Appendix 1).

(b)  That the Dover District Local Plan to 2040, including Policies Map, as amended by the main modifications set out in Inspectors’ Final Report and the Council’s additional (minor) modifications, be adopted as part of the Development Plan for the district (Appendix 2).

(c)   That the current adopted Development Plan documents consisting of Saved Policies from the Local Plan 2002, the Core Strategy 2010 and the Land Allocations Local Plan 2015, be superseded by the Dover District Local Plan 2020 to 2040 in accordance with The Town and Country Planning (Local Planning) (England) Regulations 2012 Regulation 8(5).

(d)  That authority is delegated to the Head of Planning and Development to make further additional modifications to the Dover District Local Plan to 2040, and supporting documentation, that relate exclusively to factual updates and grammatical and formatting corrections, prior to making the documents available for inspection.

To consider the attached report of the Planning Policy and Projects Manager.

Due to the size of the document, it will be published as a supplementary paper.

In the absence of the Chairman and Vice-Chairman, the Committee was asked to elect a Chairman for the duration of this item of business.

It was proposed by Councillor M J Nee, duly seconded by Councillor S H Beer and

RESOLVED:   That Councillor M Bates be elected Chairman for the duration of this item of business.

The Planning Policy and Projects Manager presented the report on the Adoption of the Dover District Local Plan 2020 – 40.

Councillor M J Nee questioned why the report was being scrutinised at the meeting and proposed that the Committee accept the report and thank officers for their work.

In respect to a question from Councillor M Bates about new housing targets, Members were advised that these were currently only being consulted on so there was nothing to adopt. Analysis by officers suggested that the impact of any changes would be under 200 additional dwellings which meant that the Local Plan would be for at least the next five years.

RESOLVED:   That the report be accepted and that officers be thanked for their work in producing the Local Plan.

(Councillor T J Bartlett declared a Disclosable Pecuniary Interest (DPI) by reason of his having land holdings within the proposed Local Plan and withdrew from the meeting for the consideration of this item of business.)

To consider the attached report of the Planning Policy and Projects Manager.

Responsibility: Portfolio Holder for Planning and Built Environment

(a)    It was agreed that it be recommended to Council:

(i)            That the Inspectors’ Report into the examination of the Dover District Local Plan be noted (Appendix 1a), and main modifications agreed (Appendix 1b).

(ii)           That the Dover District Local Plan to 2040, including Policies Map, as amended by the main modifications set out in Inspectors’ Report and the Council’s additional (minor) modifications, be adopted as part of the Development Plan for the district (Appendix 2).

(iii)          That the current adopted Development Plan documents consisting of Saved Policies from the Local Plan 2002, the Core Strategy 2010 and the Land Allocations Local Plan 2015, be superseded by the Dover District Local Plan to 2040 in accordance with The Town and Country Planning (Local Planning) (England) Regulations 2012 Regulation 8(5).

(iv)          That Authority be delegated to the Head of Planning and Development to make further additional modifications to the Dover District Local Plan to 2040 and SA Adoption Statement that relate exclusively to factual updates and grammatical and formatting corrections, prior to making the documents available for inspection.

(b)    It was agreed:

(v)           That the Dover District Local Plan be modified in accordance with the recommended Main Modifications identified in the Inspectors’ Report (Appendix 1b).

(vi)          That up to £50,000 be taken from the Regeneration Reserve to cover costs arising from the examination process.