Agenda and minutes

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The notes of the previous meeting were agreed as a correct record.

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The Principal Planner provided the Task Group with an update, as attached.

The Principal Planner clarified that by the end of the month the Planning Policy Team would stand at 2.8 FTE (Planning Policy Manager, Principal Planner and Interim Senior Planner).  The target for the team was 3.5 FTE.

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The Principal Planner provided the Task Group with information, as attached.  It included a recap of the current situation, summary of key milestones, current focus, and next steps.

In response to questions the Principal Planner explained that Statements of Common Grounds were specific for each area and would be submitted as part of the examination process.  He explained that the NNPF in relation to requirements for flood risk management had changed and this had resulted in the Environment Agency raising an objection on a West Lynn allocated site.  Agreement between the Environment Agency and Council was being sought for a way to overcome this objection and allow for timely submission of the Local Plan.  It was also clarified that the Environment Agency were the lead flood authority for Major Water Courses, which affected the West Lynn site.

The Chair explained that processes had changed a lot and a Statement of Common Ground was required from key partners. 

In relation to timescales, it was anticipated that the plan would go out for public consultation and be adopted in Spring 2023.  Officers would be mindful of any purdah implications.

Councillor Kemp made reference to the West Winch Strategic Growth Area and the Chair advised her that she should direct her questions to the West Winch Stakeholders Forum as in terms of the Local Plan, West Winch was an allocated site.  Councillor Kemp was also advised that she would have the opportunity to make representations as part of the Local Plan consultation process.

Councillor de Whalley raised concerns on flood risk and felt that this had been underestimated in many areas.  The Principal Planner explained that the Environment Agency and Norfolk County Council did regularly revisit and revise their flood risk information and any planning applications would be based on the information available at that time.

The Principal Planner provided information on a South Lynn Site (Wisbech Road), which was being promoted by Homes England.  The site could come forward as a windfall site, however Homes England would like to see it as an allocated site.

The Chair explained that the GI-RAMS Policy had now been adopted by the Norfolk Strategic Planning Forum.  It represented a package of measures for Norfolk as a whole (delivery led by Norfolk CC/Natural England).  It would not materially affect the Local Plan, but would require further factual changes and corrections.

Councillor Moriarty referred to the Statement of Community Involvement which was dated 2017.  The Principal Planner explained that this would soon be reviewed, but the Local Plan review was prepared on the basis of the 2017 document.

Councillor Kemp commented that a holistic approach to Harding’s Pits and the surrounding area was important, and that greenspace should be retained.

In response to a question about Neighbourhood Plans, the Principal Planner provided information on the relationship between the Local Plan and Neighbourhood Plan and how the Council and Neighbourhood Planning Groups should work to ensure that  ...  view the full minutes text for item 9.

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The Principal Planner provided an update on Neighbourhood Plans, as attached.

In response to questions, the Principal Planner explained that it was advised that Neighbourhood Plans were reviewed every five years, and unless there were fundamental changes, the Plan would not need to go back to Referendum, but it would go through a consultation and examination process, as appropriate.

The matter of processes for Neighbourhood Plan Reviews was raised, with reference to Walpole Cross Keys.  The Principal Planner advised that a fundamental change in direction for a Neighbourhood Plan Review would require a fresh referendum.

The Principal Planner informed the Task Group that the 2011 Core Strategy and 2016 Site Allocations Plan set out the Strategic Policies which underpinned the Local Plan.  Neighbourhood Plans should not conflict with this, so in effect they worked as local detail being applied to Strategic Policies.

Councillor Parish provided information on the Neighbourhood Plans for Hunstanton and Heacham and the Task Group discussed village boundaries and buffer zones.  The Principal Planner advised that these matters (strategic gaps between the two settlements) would be resolved by both Plans going to referendum (16^th June 2022).

The next meeting of the Task Group will take place on 11 May 2022 at 10.00 am in the Assembly Room, Town Hall, King’s Lynn.

The next meeting of the Local Plan Task Group was scheduled to take place on 11^th May 2022 at 10.00am.

Agenda items:

-        Update on GIRAMS

-        Follow up from all Members Briefing from the EA on Chalk Streams and Future of the Fens.