Government requires that Local Plans are kept up to date. The Council adopted a Local Plan in 2021, but this contained a requirement to carry out a review of the plan within 6 months of its adoption.
The review identified significant changes to national and local policy. The national policy context has changed considerably with things like the Environment Act, the Levelling Up and Regeneration Act and various changes to the National Planning Policy Framework (national policies that Local Plans have to align with). In addition, the Council now has a number of new strategies and priorities in place such as the Sustainability Plan, the Strategic Plan and the Vision 2050.
Alongside a requirement to consider new housing and job requirements, this meant that a new plan was required to take this into account. The preparation of a new plan was agreed by Council in November 2023.
The creation of the new Local Plan allows us to reflect the increased emphasis, both locally and nationally, that is now placed on things like protecting and enhancing the environment, climate change and sustainability, high quality design, inclusivity and accessibility and health and well-being. It will allow us to strengthen our policies and set a strategy that is ambitious in these areas.