Crawley Borough Council Report No: PS/0348 22 Report to Overview and Scrutiny Commission 8 September 2008 Report to Cabinet 10 September 2008 CRAWLEY BOROUGH COUNCIL’S LOCAL DEVELOPMENT FRAMEWORK: LOCAL DEVELOPMENT SCHEME 2008 1. Key Points 1.1 The Planning and Compulsory Purchase Act 2004 and associated Regulations require Local Planning Authorities to publish a Local Development Scheme (LDS) and review it on an annual basis. The LDS sets out the Council’s programme for preparing, over a three year period, the Local Development Documents (LDD’s) to form the Local Development Framework, including Supplementary Planning documents (SPD’s). The LDS should provide the Council, stakeholders and the public with a clear understanding of the timing and type of LDDs to be produced over the LDS period (2008 – 2012). 1.2 This report highlights the key documents within the LDS and sets out the new programme. The revised LDS has been drafted with the objective of bringing forward a realistic programme for LDD production over the next three years reflecting the priority of the Core Strategy Review and balancing staffing and financial implications. This report seeks approval to submit the LDS to the Secretary of State and for its subsequent adoption, subject to there being no significant changes. 2 / 1 2. Recommendations 2.1 To the Overview and Scrutiny Commission: The Commission consider the report and decide what comments, if any, it wishes to submit to the Cabinet. 2.2 To the Cabinet The Cabinet is recommended: (i) that the Local Development Framework Local Development Scheme 2008 be submitted to the Secretary of State; (ii) following submission to the Secretary of State of the Submitted Local Development Scheme and subject to there being no intervention from the Secretary of State and on the expiry of the statutory four week period the Council adopt the Local Development Scheme from that date, subject to no significant changes and following consultation with the Cabinet Member for Planning and Economic Development. TED BERESFORD-KNOX Head of Planning Services 2 / 2 3. Background 3.1 The Planning and Compulsory Purchase Act 2004 and associated Regulations require Local Planning Authorities to publish a Local Development Scheme (LDS). The LDS sets out the Council’s programme for preparing, over a three year period, the Local Development Documents (LDD’s) to form the Local Development Framework. 3.2 The existing LDS was submitted to the Secretary of State in March 2007. The key milestones for LDD production were met for the LDS period (1 st April 2007 to 31 st March 2008). However, in accordance with Government guidance there is a requirement to review the LDS. The review has provided the Council with an opportunity to evolve its three year programme and set a realistic programme that gives priority to the Core Strategy Review. 3.3 The Draft LDS (appended to this report as Appendix A) was presented to the Local Development Framework Working Group in July 2008 and was endorsed for submission to the Secretary of State. 3.4 Provided the recommendations of this report are agreed by the Council’s Cabinet the Draft LDS will be submitted to the Secretary of State by 30 th September 2008. The Local Development Scheme is brought into effect four weeks after submission to the Secretary of State unless the Secretary of State intervenes during that period. 4. The Local Development Scheme 4.1 The LDS sets out the Council’s programme for preparing, over a three year period, the LDDs to form the Local Development Framework, including SPDs. The Draft LDS covers the period January 2008 to March 2012, which is slightly longer than three years, but enables the Draft LDS to demonstrate the full Core Strategy Review Programme. 4.2 The key elements of the LDS are:- • the profiles for each of the documents to be produced • the evidence base requirements for the Core Strategy review • a timetable for the overall production of the LDDs to form the LDF • the financial requirement of the LDS programme • the risks to achieving the LDS programme. 4.3 The Council adopted the current Core Strategy in November 2007, which was fundamental milestone achievement of the current LDS. However, the Council are required to have adopted a replacement Core Strategy by April 2012 in accordance with the Inspector’s Core Strategy Report. As a consequence, the primary element of the Draft LDS is the Core Strategy Review. The Core Strategy Review will include the spatial vision, objectives and development strategy for Crawley over the plan period 2012 to 2026. The Core Strategy will also include strategic site allocations to deliver and facilitate the vision, objectives and development strategy. A series of succinct development management policies will be included in the Core Strategy. 2 / 3 4.4 The Core Strategy Review is underway in terms of evidence base assembly. However, the first stage of consultation (Non Statutory Consultation) will take place in May/June 2009, followed by Proposed Submission in September/October 2010 and provided the Core Strategy is found sound at Examination the Core Strategy will be adopted in June 2012. 4.5 The other Development Plan Document (DPD) the Council is bringing forward is the West of Bewbush Joint Area Action Plan (JAAP). The Joint Area Action Plan outlines a series of objectives, policies and a conceptual masterplan to steer and guide the development of 2500 homes and associated uses West of Bewbush. The key milestone that was met in the LDS 2007 period was the publication of the JAAP for Preferred Options consultation. Although it forms part of the LDS 2008 period, the JAAP was submitted to the Secretary of State in May 2008. The Examination is programmed to take place in January/February 2009 and if found sound the JAAP is anticipated to be adopted in July 2009. 4.6 In addition to the DPDs outlined above, the LDS includes a programme of SPDs that should be brought forward to support the spatial and policy objectives of the Core Strategy. The SPD’s to be produced over the LDS period are: • Development of Gatwick Airport • Planning Obligations • Town Centre Wide • Affordable Housing • Planning and Climate Change 4.7 The LDS also highlights additional DPDs that may need to be produced in the future to address changing circumstances, or emerging planning policy. Currently, it is considered the Council may need to include, in future LDS reviews, a Gypsy and Traveller DPD, a Site Specifics DPD, a Development Management DPD and a University DPD. However, at this stage the Council does not have sufficient certainty, or evidence base to formally state a requirement for these DPDs. The Council will continue to monitor on an annual basis, as part of the LDS reviews, the requirement for these DPDs and will include them in a future LDS as appropriate. 5. Ward Members' Views 5.1 The Draft LDS was endorsed by the Local Development Framework Working Group at its meeting in July 2007 for submission to the Secretary of State. 6. Staffing, Financial and Legal Implications/Powers 6.1 It is considered that the Draft LDS programme is challenging, but deliverable. The achievement of the programme is dependant on maintaining staff levels, use of consultants and the continued success of joint authority working to formulate an evidence base for documents’ production. 6.2 The Council has a sufficient budget to meet the requirements of the Draft LDS programme until April 2011. The funding comprises £100,000 per annum from the LDF Base Budget and further £80,000 per annum from the Housing 2 / 4 & Planning Delivery Grant fund. Post April 2011, funding will be required for the submission, Examination and adoption of the Core Strategy, which the £100,000 LDF Base Budget may not cover. As highlighted in the LDS, additional documents not currently programmed may also need to be prepared. Therefore, further Housing & Planning Delivery Grant funding may be required to bridge fund the LDS programme. Such expenditure would need to be agreed by the Leader and Cabinet Member for Planning and Economic Development, in consultation with the Head of Finance, as set out in the Council’s scheme of delegation. 6.3 The Planning and Compulsory Purchase Act 2004 and associated Regulations require Local Planning Authorities to publish a Local Development Scheme (LDS). 7. Links to the Sustainable Community Strategy and Corporate Plan The proposals contained in this report relate to the following key areas of the Sustainable Community Strategy Community Cohesion Community Safety Young People and Children Health and Well Being Older People The Environment y The Local Economy y Social Inclusion y The following key principles are applicable:- (i) Working together y (ii) Dignity, respect and opportunities for all (iii) Involving People y (iv) Making it last As the Core Strategy review will include the spatial vision, objectives and development strategy for Crawley over the plan period 2012 to 2026 it is considered that the Core Strategy will genuinely contribute to the Sustainable Community Strategy’s objectives, particularly the local economy, the environment and social inclusion. The report relates to the following areas in which the Council operates to enhance the town and the quality of life of local people:- (i) Our Communities : (ensuring they are safe, healthy, y cohesive and enjoyable) (ii) Our Environment: (ensuring that it is attractive, clean, y protected and sustainable) (iii) Our Economy: (ensuring it is thriving, vibrant and y prosperous) (iv) Our Council: (ensuring it is engaging, transparent, y business-like with a social conscience, cost-effective and a place-shaping community leader) 2 / 5 8. Reasons for the Recommendation 8.1 It is essential that the Council has an up to date LDS to accord with Government guidance, provide a realistic programme for LDD production over the LDS period and to formally prioritise the Core Strategy review.