Agenda and minutes

Apologies for absence were received from Councillors T J Bartlett, D G Beaney, E A Biggs, S S Chandler, D A Hawkes, M F Hibbert, N S Kenton, K Mills, D P Murphy and M Rose.

To receive any declarations of interest from Members in respect of business to be transacted on the agenda.

The Principal Lawyer – Planning provided general advice to Members on the Code of Conduct in relation to interests and the Local Plan.

There were no declarations of interest made by Members.

To receive any announcements from the Chairman of the Council, the Leader of the Council, Members of the Cabinet or the Head of Paid Service.

The Chairman advised that he would defer announcements to the scheduled meeting to be held on 19 October 2022.

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

The Head of Planning and Development presented the report on the Dover District Local Plan Publication (Regulation 19) and Submission (Regulation 22).

Members were given an overview of the Local Plan and the tests that it would have to satisfy to gain approval. The Head of Planning and Development made reference to the idea of deferring consideration of the Local Plan until after the Government’s intentions were clearer and advised Members that this was not recommended as the proposed reforms dating from 2020 had yet to brought forward and it was unclear when any further new legislation would be forthcoming. It was stated that the Council was required to have an adopted Local Plan in place by December 2023 and that until then there was a risk to the Council’s ability to control unwanted development. The Council also needed to submit the Local Plan before March due to the potential need for further housing sites if delayed until after the issue of new housing number targets.

The Planning Policy and Projects Manager informed Members that it was proposed to publish the Local Plan on 21 October 2022 and run the Regulation 19 consultation until 9 December 2022. As part of the consultation, the Council would:

·         Deposit copies of the Local Plan in local libraries;

·         Publish copies of the Local Plan online;

·         Hold 4 in-person events;

·         Hold 2 on-line events; and

·         Provide Town and Parish Councils with posters, leaflets and hard copies of response forms. Town and Parish Council’s could also request a hard copy of the plan for depositing at their offices.

Responses to the Local Plan would need to address four legal tests as follows:

·         That it was positively prepared;

·         That it was justified;

·         That it was effective (deliverable); and

·         That it was consistent with national policy

The Council could make amendments to the Local Plan based on the comments received and the comments would also be considered by the Inspector.

It was moved by Councillor J S Back and duly seconded by Councillor C D Zosseder

(a)  That the Dover District Local Plan 2040 Submission Version (Regulation 19) and the accompanying Sustainability Appraisal and Habitats Regulations Assessment be approved for Publication for a period of 7 weeks.

(b)  That, following publication, the Dover District Local Plan Submission version and supporting documents be submitted to the First Secretary of State for Examination, together with the Regulation 19 representations and a summary thereof.

(c)   That authority be delegated to the Head of Planning and Development in consultation with the Portfolio Holder for Planning and Environment to prepare an addendum to the Plan with proposed changes that may be necessary to address soundness issues raised by representations received in response to the Regulation 19 Publication, that can be submitted with the Plan to be considered by the Inspector during the examination process.

(d)  That authority be delegated to the Head of Planning and Development in consultation with the Portfolio Holder for Planning and Environment, to make any necessary editorial changes and  ...  view the full minutes text for item 36.

There were no items of urgent business for consideration.