Issue - meetings

The Chair of the Corporate Performance Panel had that agreed in accordance with Standing Order 12.15 that this decision of Cabinet on 20 March 2025 cannot be called in.

RECOMMENDED:  1)       To note the outcome of the Inspectors report into the Examination of the Local Plan (Appendices 1 and 2 to this report).

2)              That the Council adopts the Local Plan as per the Inspectors Report, 21 February 2025, (appendix 1 to this report) incorporating the Main Modifications (as shown in appendix 2 to this report). A version of this Plan and the accompanying Policies Map are contained within appendix 3.

3)              That Council notes that all policies of the King’s Lynn and West Norfolk Core Strategy (2011) and the Site Allocations and Development Management Policies Plan (2016) (the current Local Plan, for the period 2001-2026) will be superseded by the new Local Plan, upon adoption.

4)              That the Assistant Director for Environment and Planning, in consultation with the Portfolio Holder for Planning, be authorised to make any non-material updates and drafting changes to the Local Plan. This includes the Additional (minor) Modifications published alongside the Main Modifications.

Reason for Decision

To enable the Borough Council to adopt the Local Plan and therefore ensure that the Borough Council has an up-to-date Local Plan in place. This will then be used in the planning decision making process.

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It was noted that in the circumstances, the Chair of the Corporate Performance Panel had agreed in accordance with Standing Order 12.15 that this decision of Cabinet on 20 March 2025 could not be called in.

Councillor Moriarty presented the report which set out the final Inspector’s report on the Local Plan 2021-2040.  The Local Plan needed to be adopted by 31 March 2025 and would be presented to Full Council on 27 March 2025.

Officers present introduced themselves and Councillor Moriarty thanked them for their hard work on bringing the Plan forward for adoption.

It was noted that a presentation was available for Members and the Public to view and this had been presented to the Regeneration and Development Panel on 11 March 2025.

Councillor Moriarty read out correspondence that had been sent to Parishes outlining the process involved in bringing the Plan to adoption stage.

Cabinet Members thanked officers and the Portfolio Holder for the work involved.

In response to a question from Councillor Morley, the Portfolio Holder and officers confirmed that once adopted statutory notices and communications would be sent out.  It was noted that the final Plan would be published along with, the PDF Policies Map, and an interactive planning policy mapping tool on the Borough Council’s Website.  The Portfolio Holder confirmed that officers could look at briefing notes that could be provided to Councillors when engaging with Parish Councils.  It was also noted that Parish Council briefing sessions would be arranged in June 2025.

In response to a question from Councillor Rust it was confirmed that officers could provide an update to King’s Lynn Area Committee.

Cabinet discussed the importance of neighbourhood plans, the complexity of them, along with the benefits they brought.

RECOMMENDED:  1)         To note the outcome of the Inspectors report into the Examination of the Local Plan (Appendices 1 and 2 to this report).

2)            That the Council adopts the Local Plan as per the Inspectors Report, 21 February 2025, (appendix 1 to this report) incorporating the Main Modifications (as shown in appendix 2 to this report). A version of this Plan and the accompanying Policies Map are contained within appendix 3.

3)            That Council notes that all policies of the King’s Lynn and West Norfolk Core Strategy (2011) and the Site Allocations and Development Management Policies Plan (2016) (the current Local Plan, for the period 2001-2026) will be superseded by the new Local Plan, upon adoption.

4)            That the Assistant Director for Environment and Planning, in consultation with the Portfolio Holder for Planning, be authorised to make any non-material updates and drafting changes to the Local Plan. This includes the Additional (minor) Modifications published alongside the Main Modifications.

Reason for Decision

To enable the Borough Council to adopt the Local Plan and therefore ensure that the Borough Council has an up-to-date Local Plan in place. This will then be used in the planning decision making process.