Issue - meetings

Following the Examination of Local Plan Part 2: Strategic Policies and Sites (LPP2), the Council has received the report from the independent Planning Inspector, Mr GJ Fort BA PGDip MCD MRTPI. This is provided as Appendix 1 and the schedule of Main Modifications (MMs) recommended by the Inspector is provided as Appendix 2.

The Inspector has concluded that, subject to the recommended MMs, LPP2 is legally compliant and sound and provides an appropriate basis for the planning of the Borough. The MMs are considered to improve and strengthen the Plan. It should be noted that the Council has no discretion to vary the MMs recommended by the Inspector. If they are not accepted, the Council cannot adopt LPP2.

The next step in the process is for the Council to formally adopt LPP2 as part of the statutory development plan for the Borough. The LPP2 for adoption is the Submitted Plan (comprising the Regulation 19 Draft Plan and Addendum) as amended by the MMs recommended by the Inspector (Appendix 2) and Additional Modifications identified by the Council. This is provided as a tracked-changes version at Appendix 3. The final version of LPP2 will be published as quickly as possible after the Council has resolved to adopt it. Delegated authority is sought to address any further Additional Modifications (minor corrections/ updates/ formatting) identified in finalising the document.

Following adoption of LPP2, the Council will need to update the Policies Map to include the consequential changes identified in the Schedule of Changes to the Adopted Policies Map published for consultation with the proposed MMs and AMs in December 2022. This is provided as Appendix 4.

This report will be considered by the Executive at an Extraordinary meeting at 5pm on Tuesday 21 March 2023. The Leader will confirm to Council the recommendation from the Executive.

Recommendation (subject to confirmation following the Extraordinary meeting of the Executive at 5pm on Tuesday 21 March 2023):

That Council resolves to

1.            Adopt the Waverley Borough Local Plan Part 2 incorporating the Main Modifications recommended by the Inspector (Appendix 2) and Additional Modifications identified by the Council (all as shown in the tracked changes version at Appendix 3) and agrees the consequential Changes to the Adopted Policies Map (Appendix 4).

2.            Authorise the Executive Head of Regeneration and Planning Policy, in consultation with Planning Portfolio Holder, to make any other Additional Modifications (minor corrections, factual updates, and formatting) identified in finalising LPP2 for publication.

98.1     The Mayor invited the Leader to introduce the item. The Leader moved the recommendation from the Executive, which was duly seconded by Cllr Liz Townsend, Portfolio Holder for Planning & Economic Development. The Leader commended the leadership of Cllr Townsend that had culminated in being able to present Local Plan Part 2 (LPP2) to Council for adoption, and the hard work and diligence of officers throughout the long process of delivering LPP2.

98.2     Cllr Townsend presented LPP2,  including the Main Modifications recommended by the Inspector as well as the additional modifications identified by the Council, and an updated policies map. Cllr Townsend echoed the Leaders appreciation of officers’ expertise and professionalism, and was pleased to see their work rewarded with the Inspector’s positive conclusions. Subject to the Main Modifications, the Inspector supported the Council’s position on all key issues including in relation to the allocated sites which would make a positive contribution to the Borough’s housing supply.

98.3     Cllr Townsend emphasised that the Council had no discretion to vary the Main Modifications recommended by the Inspector, and if they were not accepted then LPP2 could not be adopted. That being said, the Main Modifications were considered to improve and strengthen LPP2 and they had been formulated with the input of the Council and then subject to full consultation. In conclusion, Cllr Townsend advised that adoption of LPP2 would complete he development plan and provide extremely welcome policies on design, the environment, biodiversity net gain, and energy efficiencies.

98.4     Cllr Carole Cockburn spoke to confirm that she wouldn’t be voting against LPP2, but she would not be celebrating its adoption by Council as she felt that the recent decision by Council to update Local Plan Part 1 rendered LPP2 out of date immediately and its usefulness was therefore limited.

98.5     Cllrs Mary Foryszewski, Stephen Mulliner, Jerry Hyman, Val Henry, Michael Goodridge, Ruth Reed, George Hesse, Martin D’Arcy and Christine Baker all spoke in support of adopting LPP2, although they noted a number of reservations about specific sites. Cllr Robert Knowles reiterated his long-standing concerns about the Haslemere Key Site, and while the fire station was now excluded the potential loss of the car park, post office, shops and toilets would be a disaster for Haslemere.

98.6     The Mayor put the recommendation to the vote which was carried with 36 votes in favour, none against and 3 abstentions. Council therefore

RESOLVED to:

1.         adopt the Waverley Borough Local Plan Part 2 incorporating the Main Modifications recommended by the Inspector (at Appendix 2 to the report) and Additional Modifications identified by the Council (all as shown in the tracked changes version at Appendix 3 to the report) and agree the consequential changes to the Adopted Policies Map (at Appendix 4).

2.         authorise the Executive Head of Regeneration and Planning Policy, in consultation with the Planning Portfolio Holder, to make any other Additional Modifications (minor corrections, factual updates, and formatting) identified in finalising LPP2 for publication.

Please note that the Appendices referred to below and in the attached report are attached to the agenda for the meeting of Full Council taking place at 6pm on Tuesday 21 March, following the meeting of the Executive.

The Appendices are available on the Council’s website: Agenda for Council on Tuesday, 21st March, 2023, 6.00 pm - Waverley Borough Council

1.1          Following the Examination of Local Plan Part 2: Strategic Policies and Sites (LPP2), the Council has received the report from the independent Planning Inspector, Mr GJ Fort BA PGDip MCD MRTPI. This is provided as Appendix 1 and the schedule of Main Modifications (MMs) recommended by the Inspector is provided as Appendix 2.

1.2          The Inspector has concluded that, subject to the recommended MMs, LPP2 is legally compliant and sound and provides an appropriate basis for the planning of the Borough. The MMs are considered to improve and strengthen the Plan. It should be noted that the Council has no discretion to vary the MMs recommended by the Inspector. If they are not accepted, the Council cannot adopt LPP2.

1.3          The next step in the process is for the Council to formally adopt LPP2 as part of the statutory development plan for the Borough. The LPP2 for adoption is the Submitted Plan (comprising the Regulation 19 Draft Plan and Addendum) as amended by the MMs recommended by the Inspector (Appendix 2) and Additional Modifications identified by the Council. This is provided as a tracked-changes version at Appendix 3. The final version of LPP2 will be published as quickly as possible after the Council has resolved to adopt it. Delegated authority is sought to address any further Additional Modifications (minor corrections/ updates/ formatting)  identified in finalising the document.

1.4          Following adoption of LPP2, the Council will need to update the Policies Map to include the consequential changes identified in the Schedule of Changes to the Adopted Policies Map published for consultation with the proposed MMs and AMs in December 2022. This is provided as Appendix 4.

Recommendation

That the Executive recommends that the Council resolves to:

1.         Adopt the Waverley Borough Local Plan Part 2 incorporating the Main Modifications recommended by the Inspector (Appendix 2) and Additional Modifications identified by the Council (all as shown in the tracked changes version at Appendix 3) and agrees the consequential Changes to the Adopted Policies Map (Appendix 4).

2.         Authorise the Executive Head of Regeneration and Planning Policy, in consultation with Planning Portfolio Holder, to make any other Additional Modifications (minor corrections, factual updates, and formatting) identified in finalising LPP2 for publication.

The Executive RESOLVED to recommend that the Council resolve to:

1.    Adopt the Waverley Borough Local Plan Part 2 incorporating the Main Modifications recommended by the Inspector (Appendix 2) and Additional Modifications identified by the Council (all as shown in the tracked changes version at Appendix 3) and agrees the consequential Changes to the Adopted Policies Map (Appendix 4).

2.    Authorise the Executive Head of Regeneration and Planning Policy, in consultation with Planning Portfolio Holder, to make any other Additional Modifications (minor corrections, factual updates, and formatting) identified in finalising LPP2 for publication.

Reason: To adopt Local Plan Part 2 as part of the statutory development plan for the Borough.

This matter was recommended to Full Council for decision.

Cllr Liz Townsend, Executive Portfolio Holder for Planning & Economic Development, introduced the item, and thanked Officers for their outstanding efforts to complete the work on LPP2 in order for it to be submitted to the Executive and Council for adoption.

The Executive RESOLVED to recommend that Council resolve to:

1.            Adopt the Waverley Borough Local Plan Part 2 incorporating the Main Modifications recommended by the Inspector (Appendix 2) and Additional Modifications identified by the Council (all as shown in the tracked changes version at Appendix 3) and agrees the consequential Changes to the Adopted Policies Map (Appendix 4).

2.            Authorise the Executive Head of Regeneration and Planning Policy, in consultation with Planning Portfolio Holder, to make any other Additional Modifications (minor corrections, factual updates, and formatting) identified in finalising LPP2 for publication.

Reason: To adopt Local Plan Part 2 as part of the statutory development plan for the Borough.